Phillies: Does Matt Klentak Have Any More Moves to Make?

MLB’s Winter Meetings are almost over, and the Phillies made very few moves

Matt Klentak’s second offseason as the Phillies general manager has been as uneventful as expected. After gaining a major haul for Ken Giles last year, Klentak came into the offseason with only a handful of holes to address.

With so few holes to be addressed, Klentak seems to have wrapped up the most exciting moves heading into 2017.

What else is there needed to be done at this point? First, lets look at what Klentak wanted to focus on at the end of the season.

1. Strengthen the bullpen
2. Add a veteran bat
3. Build starting rotation and bullpen depth
4. Decide whether or not to add a catcher
5. Add young talent

Philadelphia’s bullpen went from very good to pitiful last season. Jeanmar Gomez’ dominance wore out along with his arm, and the lack of arms and struggle of the starters put more stress on the relievers.

Pat Neshek and Joaquin Benoit were acquired, adding some much needed experience to the ‘pen. The two combined to pitch 95 innings last season, but Benoit will be 40  in July. You can not rely on having simply those two as the grizzled veterans. A return of Joe Blanton could be on the horizon after he dominated in the Dodgers bullpen.

Neftali Feliz, Michael Dunn, and Ross Ohlendorf could be names the Phillies take a look at, but it appears Klentak is for the most part done. Should the opportunity present itself he will add another arm, as long as the youth doesn’t suffer.