Phillies: Starting rotation’s looming, costly X factors
By Tal Venada
Regarding Phillies dollars, a one-year detour may involve unexpected overspending to allow general manager Matt Klentak to capitalize on the $24.5 million coming off the books after this campaign.
Two unknowns:
Even though Philadelphia Phillies fans favor predictability, the opposite has actually improved the franchise’s chances in 2018 and for 2019. Yes, offseason uncertainty may be a disguised benefit unseen out in the open but visible with a clear mind.
"IN OTHER WORDS: “There are too many unpredictable things that can happen within two months.” – Linda Bradford Raschke"
If the faithful could completely accept baseball being a business originally formed as a profit-making enterprise, they’d realize owners spending to the max every 162 is a rare exception, not a rule. Unrealistically, some locals had given the red pinstripes one summer to rebuild before the novelty wore off.
As a GM, Klentak is the point man for acquisitions. But if a deal exceeds roughly $50 million, president Andy MacPhail must sign off on it; however, co-owner John S. Middleton with the ownership group makes the decision on the $300 million commitment. Blame the right guy!
Regarding Phils execs, they explore avenues fans never even consider. For their success, job and reputation, they dedicate hours and have meetings to discuss financial parameters, evaluate major league talent, and assess every player’s intangibles.
As for ’19, the hometown nine are in an excellent position. They can add pieces to the rotation and the lineup without the pressure to exceed their comfort zone: They can pick up a bat and a left-handed starter. Yes, while some critical locals bemoan the lack of a big splash, the team has greatly improved.
With a competitive-balance threshold of $206 million for 2019 and $208 million for 2020, the organization is at $166.4 million. They just signed their ace for $45 million over four years: an $11.25 AAV.
Philosophy-wise, management doesn’t want to trigger the Luxury Tax penalty, and the only exception the higher-ups have stated is the opportunity to go deep in the playoffs. But inking two expensive pieces now means paying a $2.4 million tax penalty; however, the club will have $25.6 million coming off the books for ’20.