Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies GM Klentak says agents have called about closer opening

Published Dec. 14, 2015 11:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

As one door closes, another opens. Or something like that.

The Philadelphia Phillies traded their young closer in Ken Giles to the Houston Astros for five starting pitchers, leaving the ninth inning up for grabs.

During a teleconference with the media, including MLB.com, on Monday, general manager Matt Klentak says he's already fielded calls from free agents that want the ninth inning job:

"We don't have to decide that in December. We'll see. Every closer at some point was a first-time closer. Someone will be pitching the ninth for us. I'm going to be honest, since the news of the Giles trade broke, we've had a number of players and agents that have reached out to us to express interest in the opportunity."

The Phillies have recently signed relievers David Hernandez and Ernesto Frieri, but Klentak's comments seem to point to a newcomer. What remains to be seen, though, is if they will promote from within or sign elsewhere.