Almost two full weeks after their season ended, the Phillies finally chose to fire manager Gabe Kapler on Thursday. But if GM Matt Klentak had his way, there wouldn’t have been a change. Klentak wanted to keep Kapler for 2020, though owner John Middleton ultimately made the decision to take the club in another direction, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports (subscription link).
Kapler’s ouster appears to be the second time Middleton has directed a coaching decision in recent months, as he drove the team’s call to replace hitting coach John Mallee with Charlie Manuel in August, according to Montemurro and Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. When the Phillies made Kapler’s exit official, Middleton released a statement expressing confidence the Klentak-led club “will find the right person to lead us.” However, if Middleton truly did determine the fates of Kapler and Mallee, it seems possible he could overrule Klentak during the team’s hiring process. If so, it may call into question Klentak’s long-term future with the franchise.
Klentak – whom the Phillies hired four years ago – will at least stay in place for a fifth season, as there haven’t been any indications they’ve considered moving on from him, Montemurro hears. The Phillies awarded Klentak with a three-year contract extension through 2022 last winter, though that won’t necessarily save him if the team falls flat again next season.
This year was one many consider a dud for the Phillies, who entered the campaign with playoff aspirations after a winter rich in big-ticket acquisitions. Middleton signed off on a spending spree for the Phillies, whose offseason was headlined by their signing of Bryce Harper to a history-making 13-year, $330MM contract, though their aggressiveness only led to mediocre results. The team finished 81-81, a meager one-game improvement over its 2018 record, and missed the playoffs for the eighth year in a row.
Kapler wound up taking the fall for the Phillies’ failures this season, but it could be Klentak on the outs a year from now if the club doesn’t make a clear improvement by then. Upgrading the Phillies’ roster will obviously be Klentak’s main priority over the winter, but for now, there’s pressure to find a better manager than his previous selection, Kapler. That individual will join a franchise whose management team “appears to be at odds” and may be “in a state of dysfunction” after Middleton overpowered Klentak on Kapler, Lauber observes.
You here EB?
Klentak should have been fired along with Kapler
Sounds like Middleton is the GM and Klentak isn’t given much decision making.
That might be the case for free agent and personnel decisions but Klentak is the one who’s done a poor job in the draft
Just wait. If things don’t change next season, he’ll be headed out the door as well.
Bring back Larry Bowa. He will set the players straight.
Meh he sucked in San Diego
What exactly does “set the players straight” mean? What do you think they were doing that wasn’t “straight” that contributed to losses? Did they not play hard? Did they make mental errors? Old school fire-and-brimstone type managers like Bowa only help a very undisciplined team. If that’s not the Phillies deal, Bowa would be a poor choice.
okay – the Phillies do need him in that case.
I’m surprised he isn’t the infield coach
He was under McKannin
Doesn’t mean he can manage. In the past his method of running the clubhouse seemed to be the idea that they would bond together in their collective hatred of him.
Lenny Dykstra is available and interested in the position
Hahaha yes please surely has some advice to give odubel
Oh is Lenny out of jail?
For the time being.
Charlie Manuel should manage the team until he’s dead. Even then, probably keep him on still.
omg that’s the best
This is pretty funny!!
BAZINGA!!
Wish I could upvote this some more. Now I have to go wipe all the water I just spit out all over my monitor.
Dallas Green, God rest his soul, can be the interim GM. Still better off.
As long as there are two people playing GM, I hope they are both in agreement that the bullpen is a big time need. It was apparent in April that the bullpen was going to be a problem, but they never signed Kimbrel…. or did ANYTHING to fix the situation until…. Jared Hughes got released by the Reds in August? Correct? The bullpen started off bad, then Robertson, Neshak, Hunter, Seranthony all go down…. and nothing was done about it. So that has to be a big #1 need. The Cutch injury really hurt the team since they had no true leadoff hitter, and no one getting on base to score those early runs anymore. Just with him back alone it will be a huge boost. I think the team is much better than it’s final record, but they need a legit bullpen. And I think we’ve seen enough of the “young” guys in the rotation. They didn’t work out.. When Smyly and Vargas are an upgrade, that’s a problem. So adding at least one starter is going to be necessary.
Every team in MLB is looking for bullpen pitchers. Some need more then others.
Because of the new wave theory of counting pitches along with literally demanding that batters work counts by hitting endless foul balls (which started with the analytics craze maybe 15 years ago, now all teams do it), last September statistics showed that the AVERAGE start in MLB was 5-1/3 innings.
That means a lot of relief pitchers are needed to finish at least a 9 inning game. If a pitcher is good, he’ll be a starter. Then add that relief pitchers are the most inconsistent segment of a ML team from year-to-year – and that many inexplicably get very good or very bad within a season.
It’s why quality pitching coaches are in demand, as well as managers that understand pitching. The Phillies GM released a quality pitching coach last off-season – Rick Kranitz – to promote a young coach more in line with GM Matt Klentaks’ thinking – Chris Young. While the Phillies had injuries – as all MLB teams did – literally all the pitchers regressed….including those that stayed healthy all year. Apparently Middleton had Young fired.
If the owner had a clue, he’d not only dump Klentak, but sweep Andy MacPhail out as well. There are a lot of quality, experienced FO people available for hire. The “Rebuild” was an utter failure, and signing Bryce Harper to be the team leader for 13 years was just plain nuts (although I’ll say that Harper seriously tried to work on his fundamentals for the first time in his career this season). As I’ve noted before – letting Harper go improved the Nationals both on the field and in the clubhouse……not to mention that both OF’s Soto and Robles are better all around players at ages 20-21 then he’ll ever be.
Robles will be a better all around player than Harper will ever be? Based on what?
Have you seen him play?
He’s a gold glove CF. Faster runner – better base stealer and baserunner then Harper. Unbelievable arm – stronger and far more accurate then Harper’s. Hit’s for average as well as Harper, and is improving. Works with coaches for an hour or two a day (along with Soto)…..Harper didn’t listen to coaches, he would call his father in to work with him.
All Harper is better at is hitting with power, and Robles will be getting stronger for at least the next 5 years.
FP Santangelo says Robles running reminds him of Roberto Clemente. To me, Robles game reminds me totally of Clemente (same build). It’s uncanny. The only question is if he continues to work hard. This guy has a chance to be a real superstar.
“Unbelievable arm – stronger and far more accurate then Harper’s. ”
Harper led all NL Outfileders in assists this past season.
Did you even watch any of the games?
Robles may not be better right now but has a chance to be. Bang for your buck wise though I’d take Robles right now over Harper.
Well no crap. Harper is on a 330 million dollar and Robles is playing on a rookie contract. Robles has great raw skills. He’s been among the top prospects in the game for awhile. He’ll be a good CF for a long time.
But Bryce is a very very good player. Guys like to crap all over him like he’s complete garbage. He’s really good. He may never be Bryce the MVP we saw that one year but that doesn’t mean he’s not a highly productive player. He’s a good right fielder with a great arm and he routinely bats 25% above the big league average.
Robles just batted 12% below. Robles has a chance to be really good and perhaps he could be better than Bryce currently is one day but he’s not there yet. Obviously I don’t see him ever producing a 9 WAR season like Bryce did but that looks to be an outlier for him also.
In all honesty, Harper impressed me. I was against the contract and still think it us nuts. But he impressed me. He had a different feel than in DC. He seemed somewhat more positive.
I know we’re in the minority but there are quite a few players better than Harper. He is good, not great.
Phillies were under tremendous pressure to win this year after the trades and money spent last off season. These things take time. I expect some roster tweaks, a bullpen overhaul, and improvement all the way around. Can’t speak to the manager situation, but the group of players they have now require someone respectable.
Stubby clapp
I hope not he is great in STL Madden might not be a bad choice in Philly.
This is my worst fear. I still think Clapp should be the manager of the Cards and I do not want to see him go.
Aside from his many questionable moves there are a few other things that rest on Kapler’s head.
As has been reported in the Philly press many times it was Kapler who convinced Klentak to let Rick Kranitz go even after the staff showed improvement in 2018. He lobbied for Chris Young because he was his analytics guy and that didn’t sit well with many of the staff. Young’s approach turned the ship in the wrong direction.
It’s also been reported that both Kapler and Young had a good bit of input before the season and during, telling Klentak that they have the pitching needed to get the job done and they can right the ship.
It’s Klentak’s fault for listening but he hired Adonis Kapler and trusted him. Big mistake.
Seems like the go young manager not as expected for teams.
PHI reeks of owner interference. They are window-shopping themselves an old team. In 2-3 years, PHI will be in the same mess SFG is in: High payroll, old stars, little maneuverability.
If ever a team needs Dave Dombrowski, this is it..
its funny that every time Middleton has intervened its been to good effect. it seems Klentak is only sticking around because Middleton cant do the GM job all on his own and he hopes Klentak begins to bend to his will. with what has been done each time Middleton has intervened, i would have to say im perfectly content with this relationship.
Harper is cursed. Phillies won’t win a playoff series with him.
Ironic Harper leaves Caps & they finally advance & Bryce is home playing golf.
Not “ironic” at all……
Harper is a hot dog that plays for himself and entertains fans that don’t understand the game of baseball.
I was one of many that said the Nationals would be a far better team without Harper then with him.
Harper is all about Harper. Not the team. You see the Nationals dancing around in the dugout after a HR? That’s camaraderie. They never had anything remotely like that in 6 years with Harper there. Everything was “how do we get Harper going?” and “Bryce really wants to win”…..while he ran into outs on the basepaths as well as outfield walls, overthrew cutoff men regularly to show off his arm, and struck out endlessly trying to hit a tape measure HR on every swing…..when the teem just needed a fly ball to get a guy from 3rd in, or a grounder to the left side where there was only one defender as the other team was in a shift.
Soto and Robles have already passed him. Tony Two Bags was the real Nationals star the past 5-6 years, but he don’t throw his bat in the air when hitting a HR, or pose on the bases after a hit….so he’s not very entertaining. He just does things to help his team win a game, and respects his teammates.
Was it Harper’s fault the Nationals couldn’t win a playoff series while he was there??
And isn’t really petty now that they finally won a series and the fans say it’s because Harper wasn’t there?
Harper was the one of the very few good things about the Phillies this year. I like the way he plays with heart and determination all the time. Happy for you that your nats were able to put something together and use the chip on the shoulder mentality to finally achieve something. Happy for me because this season would have been even more futile without Harper, along with Realmuto, playing hard while the rest of the team looked lost most of the time….
also, Rhys Hoskins might not be the guy they thought he was ..unless he adjusts and quickly, he’ll just be another homer or nothing guy
I disagree…Harper has shown one thing that the other players would do well to follow..play hard all the time..I wanted Machado over Harper last year..I felt they needed a 3rd baseman more than an outfielder..but, having watched him all year, I am not disappointed..I keep hearing sour grapes re: Harper…Just give it a rest already..
Hey Dads, I’m thinking Rhys is looking more like an AL kinda guy….meaning DH…..I’d like to see if a different staff might help him become more comfortable and consistent at the plate, but his defense cost the Phils a few games this year…brutal at times. He looks like he just loses concentration.
Question….would you move him in a deal for pitching now or hang on and see if he gets it together? I’m not sure myself….but I’m still not sure about Franco so I might be too loyal to some players at times…..
Pitching is something they desperately need. If a good deal comes along, It’s something to consider
That’s my fear. I’m afraid Hoskins is turning more into Adam Dunn than what we had seen when he initially came up. Sure hope I am wrong on this.
Hopefully, whoever, the new hitting coach is, perhaps they can get him squared away.
Agree 100%. Harper hustled and lead by example on the field. Kinda like Utley used to do. That’s right up Philly’s alley.
I don’t blame him for taking it easy in Washington his last season. He wasn’t going to lay out for a ball and risk losing out on his FA due to injury.
Just hope he keeps it up. Harpers energy and attitude can be infectious and it is a joy to watch every night.
Yes, if the right pitcher were available, I would trade Hoskins..
Middleton is setting this franchise back by not having the guts to admit he made a mistake and fire his GM and president. It’ll be interesting to see who he tries to blame when the Phillies go 82-80 in 2020.
The entire FO needs to go as well. Klentak is just as much part of this problem if not more of the problem.
Middleton made the mistake of hiring Mcfailure. Mcfailure made the mistake of hiring Klentak. Klentake made the mistake of hiring Kapler.
I expect more of the same. Can Buck Showalter be far behind?
With so many quality managers on the market whatever is he wrong move the Phillies will do. Believe me I’ve seen over fifty years of this stuff.
I am one that disagree with redoing the pen..They started out last year with what looked like a very good pen..Injuries destroyed that..If I made a change, I’d find a closer..Hector Scare-Us is not The Guy!
They need rotation pieces and a 3rd baseman……..easy-peezy! Right?
If the GM is at odds with the ownership, the ownership needs to either replace the GM or step out of the equation.
Poor Klentak left Baltimore (where meddling had been routine for years) for this mess. This also sends a bad message to potential free agents about a disorganization. How long before Bryce starts chirping?
Mike Scioscia as the Antikapler….I would love to see this. Mike would be popular in Philly and Klentak might learn something about the game from him…..
Scioscia have a history in Anaheim
They do, and it’s not a good one. All the more reason to bring in MS.
The press conference just ended. It pretty much went:
I’m John Middleton The CEO 30 times and he’s gonna have final say without saying it.
Middleton’s approach to ownership sounds a LOT like Dan Snyder. Meddling in sports decisions, pitting employees against each other, scapegoating managers and coaches, overpaying for free agents. As a DC resident and Nationals fan, let me just say this is fantastic news!
John Meddle-a-ton