By Sam Bush
The Phillies finished their nine straight season out of the playoffs last Sunday.
And Boy Wonder GM Matt Klentak still has his job.
Even though the bullpen he constructed — which blew more than 10 games — is the worst in MLB in 90 yerars.
What’s owner John Middleton waiting for?
Middleton spent Monday debating Klentak’s future as general manager. There is no indication Middleton has issued a decision, and until then, everything involving the baseball operations group is in limbo. Meanwhile, the club sent an email Tuesday morning to all full-time employees to inform them a round of layoffs is “inevitable and will happen in the near future.”
The club improved its buyout offer after the initial one offered two weeks ago was not enticing enough. The buyouts target many of the organization’s employees who are not in baseball operations. Most baseball officials are under contract and not eligible for the buyouts. But those areas — player development, scouting, research and development — could face reductions in November. Expiring contracts terminate Oct. 31.
“The economic climate is unprecedented and the past losses, coupled with significant projected losses in the future, make this approach unavoidable,” according to the email signed by team president Andy MacPhail and executive vice president Dave Buck. “You should be aware that while other clubs have already unilaterally reduced their workforces by a significant percentage, the Phillies have undertaken a more generous approach with the voluntary separation offer as the first step.”
