That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: 2019 season predictions and fun pop bets

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: The Phillie Phanatic performs before an opening day game between the Philadelphia Phillies the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 7, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: The Phillie Phanatic performs before an opening day game between the Philadelphia Phillies the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 7, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 02: Phillies Vice President & General Manager Matt Klentak listens to the question from a media member during the press conference to introduce Bryce Harper to the media and the fans of the Philadelphia Phillies on March 02, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 02: Phillies Vice President & General Manager Matt Klentak listens to the question from a media member during the press conference to introduce Bryce Harper to the media and the fans of the Philadelphia Phillies on March 02, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

+/- 2.5 notable trades made by Matt Klentak

George (Over): Matt Klentak was a buyer last summer, picking up veterans Asdrubal Cabrera, Justin Bour, Luis Avilan, Jose Bautista, Aaron Loup, and Wilson Ramos. While most of those deals didn’t work out it proved that Klentak can get deals done when the time is right.

This goes without saying that a trade has to be notable, so I’m not counting  Jack Zoellner to the Baltimore Orioles for Future Considerations. This has to be for an everyday contributor or a starting pitcher.

I anticipate Klentak making a move for a starter, reliever, and at least one bench bat this summer.

John (Over): So long as this team is competitive when the trade deadline rolls around, they should make at least three trades. The biggest trade will likely come to the starting rotation. The team opted to roll with the same rotation they had last year, focusing on position players with their additions. However, if the rotation doesn’t perform as well as it did last year, the team will likely have to make a trade to supplant the rotation.

Another move could come if Scott Kingery can’t find some success as the backup infielder. If the team feels they need to demote him to figure things out, they could make a minor trade to replace him. By the same token, if Kingery performs well, Cesar Hernandez or Maikel Franco could be traded to clear a spot in the lineup.

Who knows what could happen this year that would require a trade? If the front office is truly ready to push all their chips in for a playoff run, they will make any and every move they can to ensure the club succeeds.

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