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.
