The Phillies could be nearing their general manager decision soon. With three strong candidates identified as finalists, the Phillies may very well get their new general manager in time for Monday's organizational meetings in Clearwater. All three have impressive educational backgrounds.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com identified all three:
Sources confirm 3 finalists for Phillies' GM job are Matt Klentak, Dan Kantrovitz and Chaim Bloom. Ivy Leaguers in 30s with analytics base.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) October 23, 2015
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN identified Bloom as a finalist, while MLB.com's Mike Giovanna had identified Klentak as a finalist.
Here is a quick recap on the three finalists.
Matt Klentak, Assistant GM, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Klentak served as a director of baseball operations under MacPhail in Baltimore before serving in his current capacity with the Angels. Klentak was considered for the open Angels general manager position this offseason. Klentak is a graduate of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
Chaim Bloom, VP of Baseball Operations, Tampa Bay Rays
Bloom is a Philadelphia native who rose up the ranks in the Tampa Bay organization after interning there in 2005. Bloom attended Yale University and graduated with a degree in Latin. A Philadelphia Inquirer article from 1998 shows that Bloom started in the "Science Olympiedia" challenge in 10th grade at Akieba Hebrew Academy. Bloom interviewed for the Brewers vacancy this offseason, but the Phillies position could him better since he would report to a president of baseball operations.
Dan Kantrovitz, Assistant General Manager, Oakland Athletics
Kantrovitz has only been the assistant general manager for Oakland for one season, prior to the 2015, Kantrovitz left the St. Louis Cardinals to take the spot vacated by now-Los Angeles Dodgers general manager, Farhan Zaidi. Kantrovitz had spent his entire career that included a minor league playing career with the Cardinals. Kantrovitz moved all the way up to amateur scouting director before he moved to the Athletics, where he had done some interning while a student at Harvard.
Eliminated candidates, by our tally:
- Kim Ng, MLB executive
- JJ Picollo, Assistant GM, Kansas City Royals
- Jim Hendry, former Cubs GM (though he could join the Phillies still)
- Larry Beinfest, former Marlins GM
- Ross Atkins, VP player personnel, Cleveland Indians
- Matt Slater, director of player personnel, St. Louis Cardinals
