2019 MLB Season: Rating the NL East general managers

2019 MLB Season: The NL East’s best GM

Matt Klentak, Philadelphia Phillies

Much of what Klentak accomplished all season he did in one grand, glorious and highly publicized moment.

That, of course, is a reference to the Phillies’ signing of the free-agent market’s premier name, Bryce Harper, in March. Harper returned 2.1 WAA on that deal, two-thirds of Klentak’s overall 3.4 impact on the Phils.

It may surprise some that Klentak actually improved the Phillies, given their mere .500 record and fourth-place finish in the NL East. Obviously they deserve a place among the ranks of 2019 MLB season’s under-achievers.

But the Harper signing did turn out to be a plus, although whether it justified the $11 million he was paid this year (it will go up to $27 million next year and for the foreseeable future) is a separate question. Hey, it’s only stupid money.

Klentak laid out an additional $40 million to extend Aaron Nola through at least 2022, getting 2.0 WAA for the 2019 portion of that deal.

It is often the case that paying big bucks to a couple of guys hamstrings a team’s ability to widen its talent base. That may have been a problem for Klentak. Aside from Nola and Harper, he plowed through 30 new faces in an effort to find a winning recipe. One or two of those moves worked, notably the trade with Miami that brought in J.T. Realmuto (2.5 WAA). Aside from Harper, Nola, and Realmuto, however, the cumulative impact of the remaining 29 personnel moves was -3.3 WAA. Counting on one or two stars to carry your team can be a risky strategy.

Short-term acquisitions: +0.6

Short-term trade losses: -1.3

Short-term free agent signings: +4.1

Short-term free agent losses: -1.0

Short-term rookie production: -1.0

Short-term total: +3.4