Philadelphia Phillies: Top 5 moves Matt Klentak made as GM
By Matt Rappa
The Philadelphia Phillies will soon embark on their first regular season in the Dave Dombrowski and Sam Fuld front office era, with them respectively as president of baseball operations and general manager.
The 2016-20 season rosters were assembled by general manager Matt Klentak, who the Phillies hired in October 2015 to replace now-broadcaster Ruben Amaro Jr.
Klentak, who remains with the Phillies under Dombrowski as Strategy and Development Officer, made his fair share of moves during his five seasons at the helm; here is a top-five ranking.
1. Phillies acquire slugger Jay Bruce from Mariners, who paid most of his salary.
Klentak made the most of his friendship with Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto, when he acquired slugger Jay Bruce in early June 2019 for just minor-league third baseman Jake Scheiner and cash considerations.
While Bruce had a hefty contract at the time, Klentak negotiated for the Mariners to pay most of the remaining $23 million owed. The Phillies were on the hook for just less than $3 million, and they surely got their monies’ worth.
Bruce immediately filled a noticeable void left by injured left fielder Andrew McCutchen, and went on a tear right away in red pinstripes. In his first 28 games, Bruce slashed .291/.308/.641 with 14 singles, six doubles, 10 home runs, 29 RBI, three walks, and just 16 strikeouts spanning 107 plate appearances. This past season, Bruce played in 32 games, slugging four doubles, two triples, six homers, and 14 RBI, but slashed just .198/.252/.469.
Bruce is now on the Yankees spring training roster on a minor-league deal. Already, he has slugged a double, two home runs, three RBI, and walked as many times as he struck out (2) through 15 at-bats. Had there been a designated hitter in the National League for the 2021 season, the Phillies would have thought twice about letting him walk in free agency.