Phillies: Bullpen decisions now on front burner

While the Phillies add or subtract a closer, setup men and relievers to reach eight arms max, general manager Matt Klentak is determining the hurlers who will compete in spring training.

Falling dominoes: 

For the Philadelphia Phillies faithful, it’s white-knuckle time for uncertainty, anxiety, and other maladies of the offseason. Meanwhile, Klentak is assembling the Phils’ roster from the foundation upward by addressing the infield-corner logjam, the outfield defense, and southpaw relievers before acquiring brighter stars.

"IN OTHER WORDS:  “Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.” – Stephen Covey"

Unlike the relief corps, the rotation is clearer. Klentak, probably, will add a left-handed starter and have four hurlers competing for the bottom two slots. However, one could be the long man in the pen.

On the other hand, management might not have a spot for a long reliever, and the red pinstripes may prefer having those two extra starters with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs as injury insurance. Or Klentak could deal them for another need by February.

Prior to the Winter Meetings, the GM indicated Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter were available. And his thinking probably is to reallocate their $15.5 million toward a closer or a fireman to retire the toughest hitters with the game on the line. Of course, this info came from competitors’ front offices, not the good guys.

As for swaps, Klentak added portsiders James Pazos and Jose Alvarez, but the exec also reacquired right-hander Juan Nicasio as a $9 million salary dump. That stated, the higher-up may consider Nicasio as another reliever to move.

Presently, the hometown nine has10 relievers before signing a closer. But bargain-hunting GMs might incorrectly believe Klentak is in a roster bind and must trade his bullpen overage. However, he could ink a ninth-inning fireman and swap some of the $24.5 million owed to Neshek, Hunter and/or Nicasio.

Regarding closers, Zach Britton and Craig Kimbrel in that order are Klentak’s targets. But because the exec doesn’t reveal specifics, fans can only speculate about his preferred fireman. Or does he want another threat extinguisher like Seranthony Dominguez? It’s one or the other!