Phillies GM’s highs and lows up to 2020

If you include the good and acceptable decision-making with the questionable and poor acquisitions, does Phillies general manager Matt Klentak deserve harsh criticism for not living up to your expectations?

Clear-eyed view:   

For the Philadelphia Phillies faithful, many point to bad signings, unpopular trades, unorthodox moves, and lack of immediate promotions from an empty farm system (third base?). Let that last one sink in! Basically, they expect only excellent and fast deals –who has that luck?– but ignore the obvious potholes of Klentak’s position.

IN OTHER WORDS:        “There is no black-and-white situation. It’s all part of life. Highs, lows, middles.” – Van Morrison

Based on execs’ standard procedures, this article doesn’t rate a winner or loser in a swap or inking, but it determines if the player accomplished what the front office had added him for. However, many moves don’t require more than a season or two to evaluate, while others need more time to reach a conclusion.

When an experienced GM takes the helm, he must firstly become familiar with a new roster. Alex Anthopoulos took that approach when he joined the Atlanta Braves after leaving the Toronto Blue Jays. As for rookie Klentak, he dealt a young closer for five hurlers and signed two veteran starters for 2016.

The higher-up in 2017 had traded for two veteran arms: a starter and a setup man, whom he moved at the July deadline. Realistically, he acquired prospects for the reliever and the veteran who headed the pitching staff in ’16. Klentak, also, made the annual boatload of minor transactions in his second campaign.

In 2018, the GM was ready to ink free agents: a starter, a slugger and two setup men. And he had four youngsters among the everyday eight because he had swapped a regular for a Triple-A rotation piece. At the trading deadline, he replaced rookies at short and catching with veterans, but his strategy couldn’t prevent a decline.

Last winter, the Fightins made five deals: They picked up a .300 hitter, a top-tier fireman, an All-Star catcher, an outfielder, and three bullpen pieces and moved a slugger, a green infielder and a pen flamethower. Plus managing partner John S. Middleton negotiated a massive contract with Scott Boras for a slugging outfielder.

Unfortunately, the red pinstripes lost their entire relief corps to injury except for two healthy arms, and management could only add available relievers to plug those holes. As for the offseason before ’20, they had landed a top starter and a left-handed bat with power but disappointed their fan base nonetheless.

For 2017:           

Using 2016’s approach, Klentak had two veterans for the Phillies five-man staff, but this time it was Hellickson, who had accepted a qualifying offer, and the salary dump of Clay Buchholz from the Boston Red Sox. Regrettably, Hellickson was ineffective, and Buchholz had lasted for only two starts.

Phillies 2017 stats:

• Hellickson: 30 Gms., 164 Inn., 8-11, a 5.43 ERA, a 0.1 fWAR and a 1.26 WHIP.
• Buchholz: 2 Gms., 7 1/3 Inn., 0-1, a 12.27 ERA, a 0.1 fWAR and a 2.59 WHIP.
• Transactions: Low.

Hellickson had a decent 162 in his first of two summers, and the other starters were on the red pinstripes’ IL (injured list). Meanwhile, Buchholz has a history of dazzling, horrendous, or injury-plagued campaigns; and Klentak received little from this pair in ’17. They were fifty-fifty shots!

In another salary dump, Houston had sent Pat Neshek from Houston to Philly, and he was money for almost every outing. In fact, he only had two poor appearances out of 43 with the first one on May 14. Basically, he was a fan favorite in an otherwise forgettable season.

Phillies 2017 stats:

• Neshek: 43 Gms., 40 1.3 Inn., a 1.12 ERA, 23 Holds, 1 Save and a 1.0 WARP.
• Transaction: High.
• Sanders: 61 Gms., 200 AB, a .205 Avg., 6 HR, 20 RBI, a -0.5 WARP and a .617 OPS.
• Transaction: Low.
• June draft: Haseley was the eighth overall selection.
• Transaction: High.

In his first attempt to add a left-handed hitter with pop, Klentak signed right fielder Michael Saunders, who in ’16 had logged a first half of .298, 16 homers and 42 RBIs. But he had recorded a poor second half that continued with the Phils until his release.

In July, Klentak traded Hellickson to the pitching-desperate Baltimore Orioles and Neshek to the contending Colorado Rockies. Rarely, do any prospects in this deals pan out, but the GM acquired J.D. Hammer from Colorado. And he was the top name going in Klentak’s direction for his first two years other than the Giles return.

For 2018:         

While some national writers believe the Phillies stopped rebuilding too soon, the front office had already evaluated over two summers the acquired hurlers and standout prospects they could obtain. They, then, began plugging the holes they could anticipate instead of waiting until the last minute. Ergo, avoiding uncertainty.

Inking two setup men to two-campaign pacts, Klentak filled a need the pipeline wasn’t going to. And setting up the back end of the pen with Neshek and Tommy Hunter was to be more competitive and not to add more prospects in July.

Phillies 2018 stats:

• Neshek: 30 Gms., 24 1/3 Inn., a 2.59 ERA, 5 Saves, 6 Holds and a 0.3 fWAR.
• Hunter: 65 Gms., 64 Inn., a 3.80 ERA, 25 Holds, 4 Saves and a 0.2 fWAR.
• Transactions: High.

Tradewise, Klentak exchanged Galvis for right-hander De Los Santos of the San Diego Padres. Galvis had one season before free agency, and San Diego needed a stopgap for ’18 before advancing a pipeline shortstop. Early on, De Los Santos could be the first call-up if Spencer Howard isn’t ready.

Controversy has reigned supreme since the signings of Santana and Jake Arrieta. In particular, many fans voiced unhappiness with switching Rhys Hoskins to left field. But this wasn’t a new idea: Corner infielders Greg Luzinski and Pat Burrell had played there, and the New York Mets now have a first sacker there.

Locally, the criticism was the $60 million for Santana and the quickness of the offer. But this thinking is also an exec’s standard. To illustrate, the Braves GM needed a closer, and the only solid one was a free agent. So, he inked Smith on Nov. 14 for three summers at $40 million before the Winter Meetings.

Still 2018:

For Phillies writers, the disapproval of Santana’s contract was immediate, and reasoning didn’t matter. Basically, he was the top left-side bat with power available through  free agency. Plus Klentak had signed him on Dec. 20 (2017), and Smith’s inking was on Nov.14 (2019). Ergo, five weeks faster!

To one detractor, I pointed out the Phils’ right-heavy lineup, 2016’s Saunders’ addition, and the lack of left-handed power. Plus I challenged him with a link for available free agents because he felt Klentak could have easily done better. Well, the critic only came back with Jon Jay: .296, 2 home runs and 34 RBIs for ’17.

Some writers, unsurprisingly, have recently considered moving Hoskins after his second-half slump to get something for him before he tanks completely. So, some –who, probably, blasted Klentak’s left field effort two years ago– now don’t want Hoskins here. Are they stating their belief as impartial scribes or ordinary fanatics?

Phillies 2018 stats:

• Santana: 161 Gms., 679 PA, a .229 Avg., a .352 OBP, 24 HR, 86 RBI, a .766 OPS and a 1.9 fWAR.
• Arrieta: 31 Gms., 172 2/3 Inn., 10-11, a 3.96 ERA, a 1.9 fWAR and a 1.29 WHIP.
• Transactions: Low (MacPhail).

Santana ($60 million) and Arrieta ($75 million) received three-season pacts, but those amounts had probably needed MacPhail’s approval. Just a guess: $50 million is probably the top dollar limit for Klentak’s position, and MacPhail’s is likely $100 million. But Santana wasn’t the answer, and Arrieta’s season featured a balky knee in June.

Even if Arrieta has 14 decent starts in a shortened 2020 campaign, it will be better than his 10-11 appearances before injuries in his previous two summers. However, he pitched through pain in the majority of his other contests. But only some playoff victories can lessen the sting for the faithful who wanted him before his signing.

At the deadline, Klentak picked up infielder Cabrera and catcher Ramos because Crawford and Alfaro were developing and still are. But although Ramos isn’t strong defensively, the GM acquired him for his bat because of a declining offense.

Phillies 2018 stats:

• Cabrera: 49 Gms., 171 AB, a .228 Avg., a .286 OBP, 5 HR, 17 RBI, a 0.8 WARP and a .678 OPS.
• Ramos: 33 Gms., 89 AB, a .337 Avg., a .396 OBP, 1 HR, 17 RBI, a 0.5 WARP and an .879 OPS.
• Transactions: Middle.

For 2019:       

To reiterate my ratings, this Phillies article does not make a determination of winning or losing a trade. Basically, I evaluate the player’s first summer with the red pinstripes to see if he worked out, but I also appraise signings for a two-year period. Plus the decision-maker with the final approval receives the credit.

After Neshek and Hunter had achieved success in 2018, both were on IL more than the mound in their second season. So, their high result of ’18 and their low outcome of ’19 equaled a middle determination overall. Plus Hunter re-upped with an incentive-ladened contract for ’20 due to the limited number of quality relievers available.

Phillies 2019 stats:

• Neshek: 20 Gms., 18 Inn., a 5.00 ERA, 6 Holds, 3 Saves, 1 BS, a 1.39 WHIP and a -0.3 fWAR.
• Hunter: 5 Gms., 5 1/3 Inn., a 0.00 ERA,1 Hold, a 0.38 WHIP and a 0.2 fWAR.
• Transactions: Low.
• Arrieta: 24 Gms., 135 2/3 Inn., 8-8, a 4.64 ERA, a 1.1 fWAR and a 1.47 WHIP.
• Transaction: Low (MacPhail).

Despite 2019’s better start with a normal spring training, Arrieta had made every effort to work through a bone spur, but he ultimately reached a point where the injury stopped him. Again, this ballooned his stats, but only management appreciated his attempts to continue.

Swapping Santana with Crawford was basically for Jean Segura even though two relievers on the Seattle Mariners were in the exchange: a salary dump for Seattle. Afterward, they dealt Santana and his remaining $30 million back to the Cleveland Indians.

Phillies 2019 stats:

• Segura: 144 Gms., 618 PA, a .280 Avg., a .323 OBP, 12 HR, 60 RBI, a .743 OPS, a 92 wRC+ and a 2.3 fWAR.
• Transaction: High.
• Alvarez: 57 Gms., 51 2/3 Inn., a 2.96 ERA, 1 Save, 11 Holds, a 0.6 fWAR and a 1.35 WHIP.
• Transaction: High.
• Hammer: 20 Gms., 19 Inn., a 3.79 ERA, a 0.0 fWAR and a 1.42 WHIP.
• Transaction: High.

In a trade of relievers, Klentak moved fireballer Garcia for southpaw Jose Alvarez. And the exec filled the need for left-handed relief he had wanted for a couple 162s. Additionally, Alvarez and Neris were the only healthy arms in the relief corps with 75 percent of them on the IL.

Still 2019:

When Andrew McCutchen took control of the Phillies’ leadoff slot, he generated excitement on the bases for the crowd: a scoring pace of 135 runs. Plus he dramatically upgraded the defense in left field and provided an adequate and temporary glove in center field. Ergo, he needs to be healthy!

Phillies 2019 stats:

• McCutchen: 59 Gms., 262 PA, a .256 Avg., a .378 OBP, 10 HR, 29 RBI, an .834 OPS, a 120 wRC+ and a 1.7 fWAR.
• Transaction: High.
• Robertson 7 Gms., 6 2/3 Inn., a 5.40 ERA, 2 Holds, a 2.10 WHIP and a -0.1 fWAR.
• Transaction: Low.

Robertson had suffered through three bad outings for an 18.00 ERA but lowered it to a 5.40 ERA with four scoreless performances. Unfortunately, he eventually had Tommy John surgery after landing on the IL, but 2020’s delay could mean he’ll have 8-9 weeks to impact the Phils’ chances.

Bryce Harper launched bombs, drove in runs, took the extra base, and hit in the clutch. Frequently, he made spectacular defensive plays and cut down runners because he didn’t hold back. Due to early career injuries, though, he defended cautiously before signing his lengthy contract and releasing his all-out energy.

Phillies 2019 stats:

• Harper: 157 Gms., 682 PA, a .260 Avg., a .372 OBP, 35 HR, 114 RBI, an .882 OPS, a 125 wRC+ and a 4.6 fWAR.
• Transaction: High (Middleton).
• Realmuto: 145 Gms., 593 PA, a .275 Avg., a .328 OBP, 25 HR, 83 RBI, an .820 OPS, a 108 wRC+ and a 5.7 fWAR.
• Transaction: High.

The first order of J.T. Realmuto‘s business was learning the pitching staff during the entire first half. Hitting-wise, he hammered five more long balls and drove in one less run after the All-Star break in 60 games instead of the first half’s 85. Translation: Middleton is negotiating another monster agreement over the finish line.

Picked up as a left-side bat off the bench with occasional starts to keep McCutchen fresh, Jay Bruce became a second left-handed slugger in the batting order. However, Dickerson had replaced the injured Bruce until he also went on the IL. Left field: 30 bombs and 94 RBIs with McCutchen, Bruce and Dickerson combined.

Phillies 2019 stats:

• Bruce: 51 Gms., 145 AB, a .221 Avg., a .235 OBP, 12 HR, 31 RBI, a .745 OPS and a 0.7 WARP.
• Dickerson: 34 Gms., 133 AB, a .293 Avg., a .307 OBP, 8 HR, 34 RBI, a 0.0 WARP and an .886 OPS.
• Transactions: High.

For 2020:

While the Phillies season is on hold, the faithful can look forward to Zack Wheeler‘s first start hopefully in July with visions he’ll bring the second-half magic he displayed the last two summers. Realistically, he was the best pitcher available for under $245 million with the untapped potential the Fightins desire.

Didi Gregorius is the left-side hitter the red pinstripes needed to counter right-handed studs who could pitch around Harper in late-game situations. And even though he’s a stopgap for ’20, locals will insist on re-upping him when they see the $14 million bargain in action.

Arizona plan through July:

• Parks: 10 state-of-the-art MiLB and 1 MLB (Arizona Diamondbacks) within a 50-mile radius.
• Games: 3 per day or 33 total.
• Doubleheaders: 7 inning affairs for consecutive games.
• Afternoon broadcasts: morning contests for east coast teams.
• Evening broadcasts: night games for west coast clubs.
• MiLB: 20 clubs to play afternoon contests in MiLB stadiums.
• Dr. Anthony Fauci recently estimated a hopeful start date of July 4.
• Florida games would have more difficulties to pull off.

With Phoenix’s heat, major leaguers could play morning and night games at MiLB parks when the heat is bearable, but Chase Field has a retractable roof for three MLB contests per day: 23 games overall daily. Normally, the majors can play a maximum of 15 games per day not including doubleheaders.

The 20 minor league squads would have 18-20 players per franchise, and their games would be seven frames apiece due to the afternoon heat just to be ready as replacements. However, MLB players would only be away from their families for two months because Aug. 1 going forward would hopefully have spectators.

Because the Arizona governor is working with the lords of baseball, some semblance of televised entertainment could get fans through two less-stressful months. But any team leaning heavily on desire can have a hot 4-5 weeks and cruise into October, so what can Phoenix do for the majors? Rise from the ashes!

The Numerical Bible:  

This Phillies review is not a sabermetrics article, which means no heavy statistical analysis. But because some readers rely on stats, this is only a reference: no reason to articulate the importance of these numbers.

Phillies acquisitions:

Hellickson: Medium.

• 2016: 32 Gms., 189 Inn., 12-10, a 3.71 ERA, a 3.98 FIP, a 3.99 xFIP, a 4.15 SIERA, a 3.2 fWAR and a 1.15 WHIP.
• 2017: 30 Gms., 164 Inn., 8-11, a 5.43 ERA, a 5.77 FIP, a 5.51 xFIP, a 5.37 SIERA, a 0.1 fWAR and a 1.26 WHIP.

Morton: Low.

• 2016: 4  Gms., 17 1/3 Inn., 1-1, a 4.15 ERA, a 3.09 FIP, a 3.01 xFIP, a 3.56 SIERA, a 0.4 fWAR and a 1.33 WHIP.

Buchholz: Low.

• 2017: 2 Gms., 7 1/3 Inn., 0-1, a 12.27 ERA, a 4.79 FIP, a 6.66 xFIP, a 5.82 SIERA, a 0.1 fWAR and a 2.59 WHIP.

Neshek: High.

• 2017: 43 Gms., 40 1/3 Inn., a 1.12 ERA, 23 Holds, 1 Save and a 1.0 WARP.

Sanders: Low.

• 2017: 61 Gms., 200 AB, a .205 Avg., a .257 OBP, a .360 SLG, a .155 ISO, 6 HR, 20 RBI, a -0.5 WARP and a .617 OPS.

Neshek: Medium.

• 2018: 30 Gms., 24 1/3 Inn., a 2.59 ERA, 5 Saves, 6 Holds, a 3.61 FIP, a 4.99 xFIP, a 4.51 SIERA, a 0.3 fWAR and a 1.15 WHIP.
• 2019:  20 Gms., 18 Inn., a 5.00 ERA, 3 Saves, 6 Holds, 1 BS, a 6.16 FIP, a 5.53 xFIP, a 5.04 SIERA, a -0.3 fWAR and a 1.39 WHIP.

Hunter: Medium.

• 2018: 65 Gms., 64 Inn., a 3.80 ERA, 4 Saves, 25 Holds, a 3.63 FIP, a 4.01 xFIP, a 3.69 SIERA, a 0.7 fWAR and a 1.25 WHIP.
• 2019: 5 Gms., 5 1/3 Inn., a 0.00 ERA, 1 Hold, a 1.34 FIP, a 2.83 xFIP, a 2.88 SIERA, a 0.2 fWAR and a 0.38 WHIP.

Arrieta: Low (MacPhail).

• 2018: 31 Gms., 172 2/3 Inn., 10-11, a 3.96 ERA, a 4.26 FIP, a 4.08 xFIP, a 4.29 SIERA, a 1.9 fWAR and a 1.29 WHIP.
• 2019: 24 Gms., 135 2/3 Inn., 8-8, a 4.64 ERA, a 4.86 FIP, a 4.46 xFIP, a 4.82 SIERA, a 1.1 fWAR and a 1.47 WHIP.

Santana: Low (MacPhail).

• 2018: 161 Gms., 679 PA, a .229 Avg., a .352 OBP, a .414 SLG, a .186 ISO, a .231 BABIP, 24 HR, 86 RBI, a .766 OPS, a 108 wRC+ and a 1.9 fWAR.

Cabrera: Low.

• 2018: 49 Gms., 171 AB, a .228 Avg., a .286 OBP, a .392 SLG, a .164 ISO, 5 HR, 17 RBI, a 0.8 WARP and a .678 OPS.

Ramos: High.

• 2018: 33 Gms., 89 AB, a .337 Avg., a .396 OBP, a .483 SLG, a .146 ISO, 1 HR, 17 RBI, a 0.5 WARP and an .879 OPS.

McCutchen: Medium.

• 2019: 59 Gms., 262 PA, a .256 Avg., a .378 OBP, a .457 SLG, a .201 ISO, a .299 BABIP, 10 HR, 29 RBI, an .834 OPS, a 120 wRC+ and a 1.7 fWAR.

Segura: High.

• 2019: 144 Gms., 618 PA, a .280 Avg., a .323 OBP, a .420 SLG, a .141 ISO, a .302 BABIP, 12 HR, 60 RBI, a .743 OPS, a 92 wRC+ and a 2.3 fWAR.

Realmuto: High.

• 2019: 145 Gms., 593 PA, a .275 Avg., a .328 OBP, a .493 SLG, a .217 ISO, a .309 BABIP, 25 HR, 83 RBI, an .820 OPS, a 108 wRC+ and a 5.7 fWAR.

Harper: High (Middleton).

• 2019: 157 Gms., 682 PA, a .260 Avg., a .372 OBP, a .510 SLG, a .250 ISO, a .313 BABIP, 35 HR, 114 RBI, an .882 OPS, a 125 wRC+ and a 4.6 fWAR.

Bruce: High.

• 2019: 51 Gms., 145 AB, a .221 Avg., a .235 OBP, a .510 SLG, a .290 ISO, a .216 Avg., 12 HR, 31 RBI, a .745 OPS and a 0.7 WARP.

Haseley: High.

• 2019: 67 Gms., 242 PA, a .266 Avg., a .324 OBP, a .396 SLG, a .131 ISO, a .344 BABIP, 5 HR, 26 RBI, a .720 OPS and a 0.9 fWAR.

Dickerson: High.

• 2019: 34 Gms., 133 AB, a .293 Avg., a .307 OBP, a .579 SLG, a .286 ISO, 8 HR, 34 RBI, a 0.0 WARP and an .886 OPS.

Alvarez: High.

• 2019: 67 Gms., 58 Inn., a 3.36 ERA, 1 Save, 16 Holds, a 4.21 FIP, a 4.14 xFIP, a 4.17 SIERA, a 0.4 fWAR and a 1.42 WHIP.

Hammer: Medium.

• 2019: 20 Gms., 19 Inn., a 3.79 ERA, a 5.11 FIP, a 6.16 xFIP, a 5.98 SIERA, a 0.0 fWAR and a 1.42 WHIP.

Robertson: Low.

• 2019: 7 Gms., 6 2/3 Inn., a 5.40 ERA, 2 Holds, a 6.06 FIP, a 6.80 xFIP, a 6.29 SIERA, a -0.1 fWAR and a 2.10 WHIP.

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