PHILLIES GM OUT AFTER 3RD STRAIGHT SEPTEMBER SLUMP

Matt Klentak’s inability to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the postseason or even a single winning season cost him his job as general manager.

Klentak stepped down after a third straight September collapse left the team out of the postseason for the ninth consecutive season. The 40year-old will be reassigned to another position in the organization, and Ned Rice will serve as interim general manager until the Phillies hire someone to run baseball operations.

“We’ve made progress but we haven’t made enough progress fast enough,” Phillies managing partner John Middleton said.

Klentak was hired in October 2015 by team President Andy Macphail after serving as assistant general manager for the Los Angeles Angels for four seasons. The Phillies were 326-382 in five seasons under Klentak.

Beyond that, the organization has struggled to develop talent in the minor leagues. The Phillies had the worst bullpen ERA in the majors this season and it didn’t improve after Klentak acquired four veterans in trades. Each of those relievers pitched poorly after their arrival.

“I think the problem the

Phillies have had for 100 years is they don’t evaluate talent,” Middleton said, citing two periods of successful player development around the World Series championship teams in 1980 and 2008. “That’s a problem that’s haunted us. It was the No. 1 mandate I gave Andy and Matt when they came in and we’re better than we were but we aren’t nearly good enough.”

Klentak’s biggest move was signing Bryce Harper to a $330 million, 13-year deal, though Middleton played a major role in that. Klentak also acquired catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins, trading away top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez to get him.

But Klentak failed to sign Realmuto to a contract extension and he is set to become a free agent after the World Series.

Cubs face big questions

Manager David Ross had few words for his team after the Chicago Cubs got swept out of the playoffs. There really wasn’t much to say, other than this.

“Just remember how this feels when you’re working in the offseason,” the rookie skipper said. “This is a terrible feeling. I’m proud of them. I’m very proud of this group. This is a season like no other. As a manager, I’m very proud of this group.”

The Cubs won the NL Central at 34-26 in Ross’ first year and returned to the playoffs after missing out last year. Yu Darvish built on a strong second half last year and thrust himself into the Cy Young Award conversation.

But the Cubs stalled after winning 13 of their first 16 games in the pandemicshortened season. They got swept at home by Miami in their wild-card series, managing just one run in two games.

They haven’t advanced in the postseason since reaching the 2017 NL Championship Series. And they’re facing some big decisions about a core that in 2016 helped bring the long-suffering franchise its first World Series championship in 108 years.

The team holds options for next season on veteran starter Jon Lester and slugger Anthony Rizzo. Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber can all become free agents after next season. Even Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations, has a contract that expires in 2021.

Notable

Veteran catcher Francisco Cervelli announced his retirement after a 13-year major league career. He played 16 games with the Marlins before another concussion ended his season.