Matt Klentak Steps Down as Philadelphia Phillies GM

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak in 2017. Photo by Chris Szagola/CSM/Shutterstock (8586864a)

After five years and very little team success, Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak announced that he is stepping down.

Klentak will not be leaving Philadelphia, however, and is expected to be given another role within the organization, though it is still unclear what that will be.

Klentak was not able to lead the Phillies to even one winning year as GM, much less a playoff appearance. The Phillies have now missed the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons.

Until a new general manager is named, Ned Rice will serve as the interim general manager.

Klentak was hired in October 2015 after serving as the Los Angeles Angels assistant general manager for four seasons. The Phillies have a losing record of 326-382 during Klentak’s five years as GM.

One of the biggest problems within the Phillies organization is that they have recently done a very bad job of developing talent in the minor leagues, leading them to reach on veterans that haven’t been panning out.

As an example, Klentak brought in four veteran pitchers via trade last year and the Phillies bullpen still had the worst ERA in the entire league.

Klentak did sign superstar Bryce Harper to a $300 million, 13-year deal, but has failed to build a winning team around him.

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