During the hiring process, the Phillies indicated their expectations of acquiring 2019’s missing pieces to their new manager: Pitching is at the top of general manager Matt Klentak’s wish list to accomplish prior to December’s end.
Management’s players:
Every November, the Philadelphia Phillies faithful have beliefs on roster construction, but many are not alike. And because armchair GMs have no major league rules, no financial restrictions and no competition, they effortlessly have surefire no-brainers. Unfortunately, execs don’t!
"IN OTHER WORDS: “Adhering to budgeting rules shouldn’t trump good decision-making.” – Emily Oster"
In a job interview, the applicant must demonstrate why he is the right man to be the skipper, and the franchise must sell the prospective employee on joining their organization. So, what did the Fightins specifically project to Joe Girardi for his acceptance to lead the team in ’20?
As for Klentak, he’s the point man in their three-pronged decision-making: He does the legwork with his contemporaries and player’s agents. But he has dollar limits higher-ups must sign off on, which is probably in the $50 million range: my best guess. No, they don’t reveal that amount to any writer.
By comparison, president Andy MacPhail likely has a $100 million ceiling. Remember, he indicated in July they’ll need more pieces to reach the Fall Classic: 2020’s goal? Regarding deals, though, Klentak probably mentions some details of potential trades and free-agent asking prices informally even if they are in his wheelhouse.
Atop the front office, managing partner John S. Middleton had previously allowed MacPhail and Klentak to handle all baseball moves except for those big-ticket superstars. However, he is unhappy with the Phils’ 2019 performance and overrode them by hiring Girardi: They favored their former O’s manager Buck Showalter.
Girardi is among the skippers who can make a difference of five games in the win column. So, he would have had 86 victories in ’19: an 86-76 record. And he’ll do much better with rotation and bullpen improvements. Plus he wants to win without wearing out his welcome like Showalter has done in his past.
For what it’s worth, assurances are basically promises. Did the execs cover scenarios for two solid starters and/or one ace plus a bottom-slot hurler? In the pen, are their plans depending on rotation pick-ups or a critical-inning fireman? And a tell of 2020’s approach is Bryce Harper‘s AAV (average annual value) of $25.4 million.