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Questions facing the Phillies as the offseason begins

By Travis Strominger |
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 22: General manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies talks to the media before a game against of the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on May 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 22: General manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies talks to the media before a game against of the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on May 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

With pending free agents favored to sign with the Phillies, General Manager Matt Klentak has a lot of questions ahead of them. What could he do?

As of Sunday night, the 2018 Major League Baseball Season has concluded. Let the Hot Stove begin. Of course, all eyes will be on two players on November 3rd: Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Do those names sound familiar to anyone? Well, in case you missed it, the Philadelphia Phillies are even money to land Bryce Harper and +150 to land Manny Machado, per Bovada.

There are reports that Harper could be seeking at least a 10-year deal worth $350 million. Machado would likely command a similar payout.

The fact that Philadelphia is going to go after these players, and both could be on the team by the time Opening Day rolls around, shows that they are all in, they are being bold. After all, they have gotten by on the cheap while rebuilding after sending away their core players that brought them the 2008 title.

But $700 million on two players? I don’t know, that seems like way too much to swallow. After all, I am not John Middleton, but these rumors are an indictment of the poor player development that is causing the team to rely on signing the big names.

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This leaves general manager Matt Klentak in an interesting position. There could be a flurry of moves that happen at the winter meetings or any other time during the offseason. If Machado and Harper both are signed, Scott Kingery would not play shortstop, but would instead play his original position of second base, which means that Cesar Hernandez could be traded. Rhys Hoskins could (and should) move back to first base, which raises more questions.

It feels like there is time to fix these problems with the “younger players”, but there really isn’t. Nick Williams and Kingery both played their age-24 seasons this past year. Every other position player except J.P. Crawford is older. Williams was an okay hitter but was abysmal defensively (and has a career DRS of -23/year). Kingery may as well have been swinging with a twig at the plate.

Jorge Alfaro is 25, and he was no more than average. Runners stole 59 bases this season on Alfaro (third-most), compared to 21 caught, and he committed 10 passed balls this year (second-most), all in just 108 games. In addition, he had the worst fielding percentage (.989) amongst catchers with at least 800 innings (all per fangraphs.com). Perhaps the Phillies should look to trade for a catcher, perhaps JT Realmuto?

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Carlos Santana could be next year’s third baseman, but in 45 career games at third base, his fielding statistics measure up right next to those of Maikel Franco’s, who was just slightly more productive overall as a hitter. Do you move Franco, or eat more than $40 million and move Santana, who seems to be just clogging things up right now?

What should the team do about Odubel Herrera? As a fan, his antics don’t belong on a major league roster. Roman Quinn is a year younger, a better fielder, and stole five more bases in 98 fewer games. Who would want Herrera? Do you move Williams instead and have Harper play right field? Or, do you move both Williams and Odubel, and have Quinn and Harper as your starting outfielders?

Is there anyone who is absolutely worth a call-up? The only one I can say deserves a least a brief look is Enyel De Los Santos, who started a couple games and made September appearances out of the bullpen. Everyone else is either too far away or not good enough.

The area where I would say the Phillies must make the fewest adjustments in pitching. Maybe find one more starter, such as a callup, trade target or a mid-level free agent like Nathan Eovaldi. But for as much as fans may have complained about the bullpen, that really isn’t a problem. Between Seranthony Dominguez, Victor Arano, Edubray Ramos, Austin Davis, and a few others, I think what the Phils have is fine.

So, as you may have noticed, Matt Klentak has plenty of decisions to make this offseason. Between the two players on which all fans have their eyes, to roster-shaking trades, to minor adjustments, it is evident that this Phillies roster as currently constructed cannot go very far, if anywhere. There needs to be some overhaul if Middleton and Gabe Kapler want to win.

Next. What are Chase Utley's chances for Hall of Fame?. dark

I said it at the beginning, and I’ll say it again. Let the Hot Stove begin.

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