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Texas Rangers in talks with Phillies about Vince Velasquez

By Jason Evans

Jul 29, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Texas Rangers added Cole Hamels before the deadline from the Philadelphia Phillies last year. This year, they may head back to the Phillies once again to shore up their rotation.

The Phillies turned a power reliever into multiple prospects, including pitcher Vincent Velasquez. A revelation this year, Velasquez has been in the rotation all year, aside from his stint on the DL, and was thought to  be part of the plan moving forward.

Not so fast my friend.

According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia, the Phillies are deep in talks to send the young right-hander to the Texas Rangers in a trade.

"The big news from this game, however, was that Vince Velasquez might have made his last start with the Phillies. A major league source told CSNPhilly.com that the Phillies and Texas Rangers are “pretty deep” in trade discussions involving Velasquez. The Rangers, the source said, also have some interest in Jeremy Hellickson, who pitches for the Phillies on Saturday night, but he appears to be a secondary target (see story).It would take top talent to get Velasquez, a 24-year-old right-hander with a power arm. The Phillies acquired him over the winter from Houston as the centerpiece in the deal that sent Ken Giles to the Astros.The Rangers had several scouts at the game, including Scott Littlefield, one of their top talent evaluators.The Rangers’ interest in Velasquez was reported earlier in the week by Jon Morosi of MLB Network."

Considering the price the Marlins paid to get Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea, you have to wonder what the Rangers and sending the Phillies way. Could it be Joey Gallo? Lewis Brinson? Jurickson Profar? Would giving up a prospect like that make sense for a young, controllable starting pitcher?

To me, if the Phillies want Gallo for him I’d have to think about it. Gallo doesn’t really have a position on the club and although he’s lowered his strikeouts in the minors, that K rate is a worry.

Next: Top performing former prospects in 2016

Velasquez is 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA this season. He has 103 strikeouts in 91 innings. That type of production would certainly be worth adding to the Rangers rotation.

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