Matt Klentak has said it before.
And before Friday's home opener, he said it again:
The Phillies will spend big dollars on talent once the team believes it has a winning foundation in place.
"That time is coming," Klentak said. "I have no question whatsoever that our ownership group will make the necessary investments. It's up to us as management to identify when the right time for that is. That time is coming. It's a matter of whether it's this coming offseason or the following year. It's not limited to free agency. We could just as easily make an investment in the form of a trade acquiring a big contract.
"Right now it's the fourth game of the season. We've got some time to think about that this year."
The Phillies' 25-man roster has a payroll of about $89 million this season.
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From 2012 to 2014, the Phillies spent over a half-billion in payroll, and missed the playoffs all three years. Only the Yankees and Dodgers spent more on payroll over that span. After the 2014 season, the Phils embarked on their current rebuild.
