When it comes to putting together a competitive team that takes the field each and every night, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has done a fantastic job. It has always been clear that Stearns and the remainder of the Brewers front office was preaching organizational depth.
That same principal, organizational depth, has now carried over into the front office. Per Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers have added former Philadelphia Phillies GM Matt Klentak to come on as a special assistant.
What do we need to know about Matt Klentak?
Klentak comes with an Ivy League background (Dartmouth). Coincidently, he began his tenure as GM with the Phillies the same year that Stearns joined the Brewers in 2015. Unfortunately, Klentak was unable to get the Phillies over a .500 record during his time there.
Following the 2020 season, Klentak actually stepped down as GM. He elected to remain with the Phillies serving in a position described as a strategy and development officer. With the Brewers, he will be serving as a “special assistant”.
The term special assistant is not very well defined at this time, so what areas Klentak will actually be covering is not known. He could help with scouting, analytics, technology, research/development, or other areas. It will be interesting to see where the Brewers end up using him.
At first glance, most will be disappointed at Klentak’s track record as GM. However, from a glass half full perspective he has a history of being the man in charge and making tough decisions. That experience invaluable and he will be surrounded by a front office that has been pushing a lot of the right buttons lately. Hopefully the change of scenery and a fresh start is exactly what Klentak needs to flip the script on his recent flounders.
Similarly related, it has been an off-season of change for the Brewers coaching staff. To read more on recent additions including bullpen coach and infield assistant, click here. For more information on the addition of co-hitting coaches, click here.
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