Phillies GM’s highs and lows up to 2020
By Tal Venada
For 2016:
According to Klentak at the time, the Phillies expected one acquired pitcher to succeed out of the two he accepted as salary dumps. And being effective and healthy were his measurement for a successful pickup. Unfortunately, fans immediately remember the deals they considered mistakes.
During his first winter, Klentak added Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton to the rotation. But while Morton had experienced a season-ending injury in April, Hellickson headed the five-man staff including Aaron Nola and youngsters traded here from other organizations.
Phillies 2016 stats:
- Hellickson: 32 Gms., 189 Inn., 12-10, a 3.71 ERA, a 3.2 fWAR and a 1.15 WHIP.
- Morton: 4 Gms., 17 1/3 Inn., 1-1, a 4.15 ERA, a 0.4 fWAR and a 1.33 WHIP.
- Transactions: Middle.
Klentak moved Giles to the Houston Astros for five moundsmen, and Vince Velasquez was the centerpiece for the exec. But even though many locals believe Houston got the better of this swap, Velasquez with new pitching coach Bryan Price may either achieve his rotation potential or a late-inning bullpen role.
During 2017’s playoffs, the Astros couldn’t trust the ineffective Giles. He, then, earned his way to the Blue Jays when he imploded during a tie game in 2018 and punched himself in the face on the way to the dugout. However, Toronto willingly dealt their assault-tainted and suspended closer for him.
Velasquez’s status is basically incomplete, plus Giles was a postseason disaster and would only be questionable at best as the Fightins closer. In fact, Giles landed back in Triple-A just prior to his move to the Jays. Transaction: Middle.