Phillies news & links — A less frustrating future?

Oh good Lord. Another morning after another bad loss. It’s unimaginably frustrating, but it is what it is. I know that sounds insane, but what can we do? We march forward into our hopefully less frustrating future. I mean, probably not, but I’m not sure I can go on if I think everything is going to be shit all the time. It kinda grates on a person.

Good news, Bob McClure’s job is safe!

I know you were all SO WORRIED that Bob McClure, who has been fired from his last two pitching coach jobs, would also be fired from this one. FEAR NOT, GENTLE MCCLURE FANS. HIS JOB IS SAFE! Matt Klentak said so! But the interesting thing in Meghan Montemurro’s article is here:

But that doesn't mean someone needs to be fired to create the perception of accountability. After all, if McClure was let go, assistant pitching coach Rick Kranitz, in his second season on the staff, would likely be tabbed to fill the role the rest of the year. Like McClure, he's been working with the pitchers and trying to fix the flaws. He wouldn't exactly be a new voice.

She’s right. It’s not like they’d hire a brand new pitching coach right now. That ship sailed pretty much when spring training started. Right now, there’s nothing that can be done. Firing anyone doesn’t help. It might make us all feel better, but it’s not productive. This is the team we’re stuck with.

Klentak stays the course

Kevin Cooney wrote a very insightful article about the apathy that is surrounding the Phillies.

What shouldn’t concern the Phillies so much is the frustration. It is almost the complete apathy that has gripped this franchise now. While this was supposed to be a rebuilding year, this was supposed to be a year where some promise emerged. Right now, there’s none.

Matt Klentak isn’t ready to call this a regression, but we’re well on our way.

Regardless, I admire Klentak’s adherence to his plan. And he’s right. This is a small sample size to judge things on. And one thing that’s not his fault is the fans’ hunger to see progress. But we’re fans. Our job isn’t to be patient, even though that’s what we’ll have to be.

Jesmuel Valentin’s season may be over

Poor Valentin. The guy needs surgery for a separated shoulder, and depending on how that goes, he could miss the rest of the season.

But don’t get aboard the Scott Kingery train to Lehigh Valley yet. Kingery’s promotion isn’t imminent, even though he’s started slapping Double-A pitchers around just for funsies.

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