Phillies: Girardi’s new sandman coming to close

If you could look at the pen through the eyes of the new Phillies manager, you’d see the potential on hand and have confidence in general manager Matt Klentak’s ability to acquire an arm or two for critical innings.

Dwarfed by a shadow:   

Unfortunately, many Philadelphia Phillies fans have doubts about the team’s bullpen denizens, but baseball men aren’t so sure 2019’s injured-plagued pen can’t be an effective weapon. And Joe Girardi, especially, hasn’t forgotten a 2018 rookie throwing a high-90’s fastball with a natural cut due to his comparison to a masterful reliever.

"IN OTHER WORDS: “That’s the game of baseball: amazing things happen.” – Mariano Rivera"

Basically, the market has limited free-agent choices or trade targets. And the only relief-corps changes here were the aging veterans no one had expected to return. However, Klentak has hired an experienced skipper and pitching coach. Difference-makers?

When he inherited the relief corps, Girardi realized the need for a top-notch coach to maximize the talent already here. In fact, eight hurlers from ’19 will currently have a shot at making the 25-man roster during spring training. But two may compete to be the fifth starter: a southpaw and a right-hander.

In Bryan Price, the red pinstripes have hired a man who cares about his moundsmen, earns their respect, communicates his knowledge in an understandable manner, and unlocks their ability. So, the faithful should see marked improvement and/or a steady course of better performances.

How will Girardi and Price set up the pen? And if they have specific roles, which pitchers will mostly work the seventh, eighth or ninth? Or will the manager have three fireman to extinguish threats based on their strengths? And remember, the new three-batter rule is primarily for relievers.

While the Phils plan on plugging two holes in the five-man staff, they could also ink a bullpen piece or two. The hurdle: Scott Boras has three of the four top starters, and he can drag signings into March. Yes, the Fightins have inked two Boras’ clients in that month for the last two consecutive years.

Girardi relies on data and old-school baseball to have more victories than defeats. Translation: He and managing partner John S. Middleton hate to lose. Therefore, fans will probably be happy with this winter’s moves and the in-season results.