MLB Roundup 10/4: Matt Klentak steps down as Phillies GM

Matt Klentak steps down as Phillies GM

The Red Sox were certainly one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this year, but they were not the only disappointing club. The Phillies were another team that has a lot of talent, and were probably expecting more from their club internally than were the Red Sox. Instead, their bullpen (which included Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree down the stretch) was historically bad and they missed out on October baseball even with the expanded field. As a result, Matt Klentak has stepped down from his role atop the front office. He will remain in the organization in a lesser role.

Klentak was hired by the Phillies in 2015 as they were set for a total rebuild to get them back to contention. He has made some signature moves in Philly, including signing Bryce Harper and trading for J.T. Realmuto, but he hasn’t succeeded in finishing the roster. It’s one thing to bring in the stars, but you have to supplement them with the necessary depth and role players to make it to October. The Phillies didn’t make a postseason in his tenure and haven’t played a postseason game since 2011.

Red Sox Spin

The Phillies could be another team, like the Angels who also have a GM opening, that could take a look at old friend Dave Dombrowski. They are clearly in win-now mode, and that’s Dombrowski’s specialty. That is, however, just speculation on my part. It is also worth noting that whoever they do hire will quickly have to make a decision on the aforementioned Realmuto. The best catcher in baseball, he is a free agent this winter and has shown interest in signing an extension, though that interest wasn’t reciprocated. I’m not sure how realistic it is, but if he does hit the open market there will at least be speculation about the Red Sox signing him and trading Christian Vázquez.