By mentally limiting the Phillies offseason to the four days in Las Vegas, some fans escalate winter’s blues rather than savoring each ingredient in general manager Matt Klentak’s stew of 2019’s roster construction.
Strategy in progress:
Before the Philadelphia Phillies GM spent those days in Nevada, some locals were fretting about the lack of action and are now bemoaning about deals not completed. But hear the voice calling from the wilderness that is Nov. 1 to Feb. 14 or 105 days, and it shouts that no team plugs 2018’s holes in less than a week.
"IN OTHER WORDS: “Sometimes, I feel the past and the future pressing so hard on either side that there’s no room for the present at all.” – Evelyn Waugh"
From the World Series’ final out to the Winter Meetings, pennant-winning front offices joined the other 28 organizations to lay the groundwork for ’19. Back then, the Phils traded for Jean Segura, James Pazos, Juan Nicasio and Jose Alvarez before the Las Vegas’ powwows. Did you savor a .300 hitter and two southpaws?
The Winter Meetings were the second phase toward building the next active 25. Striking again, Klentak added a bat to replace Carlos Santana‘s .229, 24 homers and 86 RBIs with Andrew McCutchen‘s .255, 20 bombs and 65 RBIs. The exec, simultaneously, improved the outfield defense with a solid right fielder.
In the third stage from Dec. 13 through year’s end, the red pinstripes are in the mix for a closer and a starter. But these pitchers have other offers, and their complicated negotiations involve dollars, seasons, home stadium dimensions, the franchise compared to others, a favored club, the hurler’s role and the opportunity.
Lastly, January and early February will be decision time for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Offers and counter proposals are part of the gamble for top free agents. Here, striking last outweighs the quickness of other deals.
Unlike me, many scribes have deadlines that equal cutting corners to satisfy a time frame. In fact, many beat reporters must file their articles for morning editions. And some publications have quotas pushing writers to structure their pieces accordingly.
When it comes to rumors, what is their origin? Sometimes, an organization reveals what their competitors are approaching them with. Of course, some GMs and agents have a self-interest in promoting their players or clients. And it’s not always obvious.