Call to the pen
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Phillies: GM’s double-barreled trades and signings

By Tal Venada

Expect Dominguez to learn from 2018's mistakes. Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images.
Expect Dominguez to learn from 2018's mistakes. Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images. /
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Unless the Phillies receive a decent offer, Neshek will be a counted-on setup man. Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images. /

Starting to win:

For the Phillies, Klentak’s approach in 2016 and 2017 was one of two starters would be productive and healthy. So, since he continues to rely on this method, how has his road map worked for the past three years?

In his first summer here, Klentak had success with Hellickson, who frequently pitched more than six frames and was a veteran presence atop the five-man staff. He recorded six innings 21 times with 10 for more than six frames: The right-hander made 31 starts not including his short season-ending appearance.

As for Morton, he only had four April outings because he suffered a campaign-ending injury leading to hamstring surgery. Translation: Klentak had one hit and one miss in his first effort as a general manager. Yeah, 50 percent.

2016 results:

  • Hellickson: 32 Gms., 189 Inn. and 12-10 with a 3.71 ERA.
  • Morton: 4 Gms., 17 1/3 Inn. and 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA.

2017 results:

  • Hellickson: 20 Gms., 112 1/3 Inn. and 6-5 with a 4.73 ERA.
  • Buchholz: 2 Gms., 7 1/3 Inn. and 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA.

Despite going 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA for five solid April performances, Hellickson subsequently went 2-5 here with a 5.79 ERA. And after the Phils had moved him on July 29, he finished the 162 with a 2-6 mark and a 6.97 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles.

On the other hand, Buchholz produced two clunkers in 2017 before suffering a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow. So, Klentak came up empty: One was ineffective and the other had landed on the disabled list. And neither pitched beyond July for the red pinstripes.

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