Some further changes are on the horizon in the Phillies’ front office, as farm director Joe Jordan has stepped away from the organization, Matt Gelb of The Athletic writes (subscription link). The Phillies have since confirmed Jordan’s departure. Gelb characterizes a “rift” between Jordan and the new front office, headed by GM Matt Klentak and president Andy MacPhail. The 56-year-old Jordan told Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia that he “had the greatest job” but “walked into [Klentak’s] office and told him I didn’t think I was the guy to take this thing forward.” Jordan had held that position since being hired by Ruben Amaro back in 2011 but knew both Klentak and MacPhail from prior experience working with the pair in the Orioles’ front office. Gelb’s column details Jordan’s departure at length, noting that increased usage of data, analytics and Trackman technology at the minor league levels have all been implemented under the new regime — among numerous other changes.
A bit more out of Philadelphia…
- Phillies skipper Gabe Kapler tells Scott Labuer of the Philadelphia Inquirer that the organization isn’t planning on assigning one set position to super-utilityman Scott Kingery at any point in the near future. Kingery has played shortstop primarily over the past couple of months but is also seen as an option at second, third and in the outfield. “The most sensitive, direct, and understanding way I can answer this question is that we don’t know,” Kapler says in response to questions of Kingery’s placement on the diamond in the long-term. Lauber also speaks at length with Cardinals third base coach and former big league utilityman Jose Oquendo about the manner in which Kingery has been used, as Oquendo himself was once one of the game’s most prominent utility pieces. Oquendo offers some veteran insight as a former player who thrived in that role for years, stressing that as long as the player buys in, he can enjoy success in that role. As Lauber notes, Kingery’s versatility should afford the front office plenty of flexibility in the offseason.
- Salisbury also writes that third baseman Maikel Franco is likely headed to meet with a specialist to have his ailing right wrist examined today. Franco was among the Phils’ hottest hitters for much of July and in early August, but his bat has faded as he’s played through considerable pain. With the 26-year-old Franco currently unavailable, trade acquisition Asdrubal Cabrera has been logging most of the time at third base. The Phillies did bring J.P. Crawford up as part of their slate of September call-ups and, paired with Kingery, that gives them several options to fill out the left side of the diamond. Pedro Florimon is also back with the big league club as an infield option on the left side.
Hate to say it but the Phillies look like they might be done…seems like it’s going to come down to two of the Brewers, Cards, Dodgers, Diamondbacks or Rockies (minus who wins the west of course)
They still have 7 games left versus Atlanta, obviously a lot can happen but it’s fair to stick a fork in them if they come out on the wrong end of those.
They are only 3 games out with a bunch of games against Atlanta remaining , I would not count this team out.
Kingery NEEDS to play one set position and that’s second base
I don’t know why they won’t just keep him at one middle infield spot and leave him there. It would really help his development.
And preferably not short since he is kinda bad there
The Phillies are a disappointment this season. Can’t hit or field. It’s only to to watch them when Nola is pitching. It’s so unlike 2007-2011 when baseball was great in the city.
Seriously? When the Nats were basically given the NL East…the Phils are still in it into September. I wouldn’t call that a disappointment. Think how the Nats fans feel. Their window is closing.
The Phillies are not a disappointment this year. We were no suppose to be in this position to be contending for an NL East pennant. They are keeping up with the Braves who have a way more talented team.
Oh ya thats why they signed Carlos Santana and Jake Arrieta.. To not contend. Makes total sense…
They signed them to contend for the next few years, not necessarily this year.
Not really, most people expected them to play at .500 or below. Given how inconsistent the defense and offense have been it’s actually kind of impressive where they’re at.
That statement is pure buffoonery. No one expected this team, with a bunch of youngsters and first year skipper, to be playing the way they have this season. They’re fun to watch and just beginning what could become another solid era of ball here.
Some of us did expect the Phillies to play reasonably well this year, even if that didn’t mean a playoff appearance.. Throughout most of the season I was impressed with their results, but never fully bought into them being a playoff contender–and got hammered when I said so when they were 2 or 3 games up. However, as good or bad as the season has been, depending on your perspective, it has definitely not been a “good baseball” season. They play terribly; they’re awful offensively, and worse defensively. They aren’t much better on the base-paths, and every game lasts forever with Kapler’s overuse of analytics telling him which move to make every single moment of the game.
In short, yes the Phillies’ record is better than what most people expected it to be, but that doesn’t mean they’ve had a good season. They’re almost as bad and boring to watch as the 2013-2017 clubs.
Are you kidding? They’ve surpassed last years win total with 25 games still to go
Troll
How are they a disappointment? Last year they only won 66 games and finished last in the NL East. This year they are over 500, already at 73 wins with September left to play, and contending for a division title and postseason spot in September. If you think this season is a disappointment after last season I’m not sure what to tell you. They’ve improved significantly over last season’s performance and have surpassed expectations. Phillies and Braves contention windows are just opening.
The Phillies weren’t supposed to be near a playoff spot this year. I don’t see how this season can be disappointing in anyway. The top prospects (Kingery, Crawford) have provided little to nothing and Franco has been his same discouraging self and you’re 3 games out of it. Not to mention Neris blew up as your closer. If those guys play anywhere close to their potential next season you’re in the playoffs. You have more cash to spend than anyone in baseball and have a respectable enough team to actually draw a top tier FA. This year has been pretty good.
Not really. They had low expectations this year, just to show signs of wrapping up the rebuild. Not many thought they would be in contention for a playoff spot in September.
Jose Oquendo is truly one of the most interesting baseball minds in the game. I recommend any article which interviews him. He’s very bright, often has a unique way of looking at things, and is very humble. And I say this as someone who is not a Cards fan.
The Phillips are like the A’s are this year “a total surprise that came out of the blue”. Neither club was supposed to be a contender but here they are in September!
Too many screwdrivers, my friend.
Kingery hits .230, strikes out a ton, rarely walks and has a negative WAR. Crawford is pretty substantially worse. Nola is terrific, but I think the FO severely missed on their talent evals thinking this team will compete with Atlanta in the long run. Albies and Acuna are light years better already, and both younger than anything the Phils are throwing out there. They could try to buy an offense in the offseason, but having a Harper did not make up for the other woes of the Nats, who btw have the best pitcher in baseball and a very strong #2. Having a Machado has helped keep an already pretty stacked Dodger offense in the race but not given real separation. Be careful thinking spending $400 million will fix the inept offense the Phillies have. And the farm system is mostly pitchers that are more hope than promise in my opinion.
As a die-hard Phillies fan, I unfortunately have to agree with you. Our draft picks have all fallen flat in the recent past, and we have had many high picks based upon how awful we had been playing. None of them are superstars. Acuna Jr and Albies are heads and shoulders above the top talent the Phillies are putting out on the field, and that’s scary. “More hope than promise” is the best way to put it, and that’s a very sobering realization. It’s going to be a tough battle to compete with the Braves for the next few years, but hopefully the Philly FO can make something happen.
I love the Phillies and always will. To anyone who says they have been a disappointment this year you may want to put the pipe down. To me the Phillies defense has been frustrating this year and should be better, but that’s about it. Everything else imo has been much better, much sooner than expected.
The only thing “disappointing” in relation to the Phillies has nothing to do with their play, but more so with their fan-base. It’s always either 1 of two types of fan: #1 – One of the most passionate in all of sports OR #2 whiny b*tch cry babies that are never happy even when the team won the World Series in 2008. If you want to see some good examples of #2’s take a look at some of the negative nancies above.
Preach. They weren’t supposed to compete this year, and they passed their win total from last year and then some. Stop whining everyone.
Not a fan. Not even close. Outside observer. The Phillies are the furthest thing possible from a let down this year. They way over achieved in my opinion. However, if the fan base or club itself thinks it is positioned to keep pace with the Braves currently, I think you are fooling yourself. Not a Braves fan either. Just looking at the two clubs and the farms and see a very wide gap between them. Buying a free agent will not mind this gap.
BTW – I lived in Philly for 40 years. Don’t need an explanation on the fan base. It’s an Eagles town that follows baseball when the team is good – yep, you get the same 25,000 diehard faithfuls, but largely it depends on the standings. I stopped paying attention to the Phils when they were throwing a garbage product out there every year and banking their profit from those 25,000 diehards.
It’s not fair to lump everyone in one of those two groups…I’m die-hard fan, and stick with them through it all, but I can also call bad baseball when I see it. Yes, they are substantially improved over last year’s record, but that’s forgetting the fact that 37 of those 66 wins came after the all-star break. If anyone didn’t think they’d be significantly better than 66 wins this season—after spending real dollars in free agency, seeing what Hoskins could do, etc.—they’re kidding themselves. This team, coming into the season, should have been penciled in for about 80 wins. So they’re not significantly overachieving.
My issue with the team is that they play bad baseball, their offensive game plan and execution is atrocious, and their defense is worse. The game’s last forever, and the team is maddenly inconsistent all the way around, save for one player. It has not been a great season when you look at everything.