The Phillies finally entered an overdue rebuild in 2015 when they hired general manager Matt Klentak, at the time 35. In more recent years, the team has found themselves contending in the first half and faltered down the stretch, leading the organization to pump money into payroll to try and make the postseason.

They signed Bryce Harper to a 13-year contract. They signed DiDi Gregorious, former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen, Zack Wheeler, Jake Arietta and Tommy Hunter while trading for JT Realmuto. McCutchen can’t buy a healthy season, Hunter and Arietta have been awful and JT Realmuto is about to walk. The Phillies? Have yet to make the playoffs under the Klentak regime. The Phillies in three consecutive seasons have failed to capitalize on their position, partly due to the worst bullpen in baseball. This year they failed during an expanded playoff year.

The writing was on the wall, but Ned Rice will serve as the interim general manager until the Phillies can make a new hire, presumably over the offseason.

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