Vince Velasquez Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Phillies SP

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez is one of the most intriguing names being talked about leading up to the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

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Rangers’ Pursuit of Velasquez Reportedly Falling Short

Saturday, July 30

The door may be open for other teams to get involved in the sweepstakes, with Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reporting Saturday a deal between the Phillies and Texas Rangers is now viewed as “unlikely.”

Velasquez is enjoying a breakout campaign in Philadelphia with a 3.32 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 97.2 innings across 18 starts. The progress is encouraging after an up-and-down rookie season with the Houston Astros in 2015 before getting dealt to Philly last winter.

His high strikeout rate (9.95 per nine innings) makes him a coveted target. The biggest question is whether he’ll be able to continue getting a lot of swings and misses when he starts attacking the zone more, which will be necessary to lower his elevated walk rate (3.32).

He’s handling the situation well for a 24-year-old player who already went through one move in the past calendar year.

He told Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com that he tries not to get too emotionally invested in things he can’t control, like the constant trade talk:

At first when I got traded from the Astros it was kind of tough for me, but you have to move on and make the best of what you’ve got. If things happen, just let it happen. If I go to another team, then I’ve got to make the best of what I’ve got there. There’s a lot of things that are in the future. I don’t know what to expect is what I’m saying. Again, all I can do is live in the present and live another day tomorrow. If something happens, something happens. I’ve got to make the best of what you’ve got today.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports previously reported the Rangers were “all over” Velasquez, but he also noted there was no agreement on the horizon.

While the Phillies’ asking price is unclear, that’s probably the sticking point. They are likely demanding a sizable package in return for the starter based on his age, early results and the fact he won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2021 season, according to Spotrac.

For a team like Philadelphia, which is in the middle stages of a rebuild, trading a promising young starter like Velasquez seems like a step in the wrong direction. Perhaps the right combination of prospects could change the outlook, though.

 

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Pete Mackanin, Phillies Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The Philadelphia Phillies removed the interim tag from manager Pete Mackanin’s title Tuesday by announcing an agreement on a one-year contract extension with a team option for 2017.

Incoming team president Andy MacPhail noted the connection the 64-year-old former infielder has been able to build with the players is a major reason why the Phillies decided to keep him. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com passed along the entire statement:    

Mackanin took over the managerial role in June when Ryne Sandberg stepped down.

The change didn’t lead to better results on the field. The Phillies sit in Major League Baseball’s basement with a 56-94 record. It will be their worst season since at least 2000 (97 losses). The franchise hasn’t lost 100 games since 1961, but that streak could end over the next few weeks.  

That said, the poor season didn’t come as a surprise. Philadelphia is a team in transition as it works to move into a new era. Cole Hamels and Chase Utley were among the veterans traded as part of the retooling process.

Keeping Mackanin, a baseball lifer who’s going to instill fundamentals and work ethic in the next wave of prospects, is a wise move in the short term. John Finger of CSN Philly broke down one aspect of the job Mackanin has thrived at:

The Phillies were 26-49 this season under Sandberg, and some complained about the manager’s style and lack of communication. However, under Mackanin, the avenues of communication between the manager and players changed. Mackanin has been much more open with his players and also speaks Spanish, which is beneficial in the modern game.

The ability to communicate and get along with a roster filled with young players is also no small caveat.

The Phillies would have struggled to sell the job to any top managerial candidates this winter. The roster is at least a couple of years away from starting to seriously climb the standings, and even when it does, there will be some growing pains along the way.

Mackanin can be a stabilizing force throughout the process. Then, once the Phillies feel confident the club is ready to take the next step toward contention, they can decide whether he’s earned the opportunity to retain the role or if it’s time to explore other options.

 

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Ryne Sandberg Resigns as Phillies Manager: Latest Details and Reaction

Ryne Sandberg resigned from his role as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday with the team holding the worst record in baseball at 26-48. The Phillies announced that Pete Mackanin will take over as manager on an interim basis.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports confirmed the Baseball Hall of Famer’s departure. Although the Phillies clearly lacked the necessary talent to contend for a postseason berth this season, Rosenthal provided some thoughts from behind the scenes on why the club may have wanted to go in a different direction:

Sandberg compiled a 119-159 record across parts of three seasons with the Phillies. The organization is currently caught in the middle, with a necessary rebuild at hand but several veteran players like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels still on the roster.

Fox Sports MLB passed along Sandberg’s comments about his decision to resign:

His future status with the club was also in question, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, so his decision to leave now avoids any possible conflict:

Simply put, it’s hard to imagine any top candidates wanting the Phillies job right now. They are a team in transition, and it’s going to take some time to sort things out. The rebuild may also require some big trades at the deadline, so Mackanin could hold the position until season’s end.

The outlook for Philadelphia should become more clear after the trade deadline, as the team will likely deal its aging players while bringing in replacements to build around. At that point, it should become easier to sell the managerial job to prospective candidates, who will be able to help craft and mold the roster their way for the future.

With Sandberg apparently feeling change on the horizon, he decided to step away on his terms. And with the team struggling, it’s hard to blame him.  

 

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Cole Hamels Injury: Updates on Phillies Star’s Hamstring and Return

Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels is dealing with a mild hamstring strain suffered on June 18, but he is planning to make his next scheduled start on June 23.

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Hamels on Track to Start Wednesday vs. Yankees

Sunday, June 21

“Hamels just threw a bullpen session. He gave a thumps up afterward. He’s expecting to start Wednesday in New York,” according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.

On Friday, Hamels said he doesn’t expect to need a stint on the disabled list with his injury and that he plans to make his next scheduled start next week, per Zolecki.

Any type of serious ailment would obviously be a major setback for the Phillies’ rotation.

The 31-year-old left-hander has remained durable throughout his career. He’s made at least 30 starts in every season since 2008. That’s obviously added to his value given the high number of pitchers around the league who have dealt with arm or shoulder trouble.

Hamels is the anchor of a Phillies staff that needs him in it. With a severe dearth of quality arms to replace him, the sooner he can get back the better.

 

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Cole Hamels Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Phillies Pitcher

The Philadelphia Phillies aren’t hiding their interest in trying to find a trade partner for Cole Hamels. As a result, the only question may be when he gets moved rather than if a deal will happen.

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Phillies GM Discusses Situation

Wednesday, April 29

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are among the potential suitors for Hamels. General manager Ruben Amaro told the outlet he knows finding the right move might take awhile, though.

“I understand that teams go through the first month of the season trying to access what their needs are and what they have internally,” Amaro said. “Some clubs will be all hellbent on contending. Other teams will be trying to decide whether they’re contenders or not. We understand that takes time.”

Hamels has been one of the most durable, effective starting pitchers in baseball over the past decade.

The 31-year-old left-hander owns a career 3.27 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 280 games. He’s struck out 8.5 batters per nine innings pitched. And he has made at least 28 starts in eight consecutive seasons dating back to 2007.

Philadelphia is not a team built to contend in the short term. The window for its aging roster has passed, and the time to rebuild has come. If there was any doubt about going down that road, it was erased during the club’s 8-13 start.

Hamels is probably the most valuable piece of the remaining core. Getting the biggest possible return for him is essential to a successful retooling process. That’s why Amaro sounds willing to wait until the right package of young MLB players and future prospects comes along.

How long the process will take and whether any other trade partners will emerge is a mystery. That said, Hamels is definitely a pitcher with the ability to reshape the World Series picture if he moves.  

 

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Cliff Lee Injury: Updates on Phillies Star’s Arm and Return

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee underwent evaluation after he felt elbow discomfort in the days following a spring training appearance. It was later revealed he has a tear in his flexor tendon. 

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Lee Throws Bullpen Session, Still Feels Discomfort

Wednesday, March 11

The Phillies provided comment from Lee after a bullpen session, who said, “It does feel a little better. There’s still something there, but it’s not bad. So if it stays the way it is, I think I will be good. Time will tell.”

On March 10, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com revealed that Lee had a tear in his flexor tendon and that if the pitcher didn’t show improvement, surgery was likely.

Jayson Stark of ESPN passed along comments from Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who said the team was “not terribly optimistic” Lee could avoid surgery.

“It would be six to eight months out. So basically if I have the surgery this season will be done. Possibly my career I guess. I don’t know. We’ll have to see,” Lee said, courtesy of Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer on March 9. 

“Obviously you’re going to take your chances on rest and rehab and that’s what we did. So potentially I’m the 3 percent that needs surgery and potentially it’s scar tissue breaking up and it’s normal. But I think it’s early to know which one it is,” Lee added, per Breen. 

Stark recorded more comments from Lee regarding his current level of optimism: “I’m not going to go out there in pain to where something bad can potentially happen. I’m going to play as long as I comfortably can. When it’s uncomfortable to play and it hurts to play, then it’s not worth it.”

Lee also suggested he isn’t sure about surgery, per Stark: “I’ve got a family at home and I’ve been away from them for a long time, so that is part of the equation.”

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Lee Scratched From Start

Sunday, March 8

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports passed along a statement from the Phillies:

Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News provided remarks from general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. about the situation.

“You have to be alarmed, we have to be concerned because it’s the same area and he feels something,” Amaro said. “It’s the same area, the same issues he had last year.”

Elbow trouble limited the left-hander to just 13 starts last season.

 

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Michael Young Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Yankees and More Interested in 3B

Philadelphia Phillies star Michael Young is drawing interested from around the majors due to his ability to play several different positions. Expect the veteran to continue to receive a ton of interest heading towards the July 31 trade deadline.

 

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Jonathan Papelbon Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Phillies Closer

Jonathan Papelbon is enjoying another productive season out of the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen. As one of the league’s best closers over the past eight seasons, he’s the type of pitcher that every manager wants to stabilize the game in late-inning situations.

Given his track record and the Phillies’ unstable playoff hopes due to a lackluster first half, it’s not shocking to see his name pop up in trade talk. Reliable bullpen arms, especially those with closing experience, are a valued commodity.

Papelbon falls into that category. He’s tallied 20 saves this season while posting a 2.21 ERA and a terrific 0.87 WHIP. His decreased strikeout rate is a concern, but it’s at least partially offset by the fact he’s done well to limit walks, with six in 36.2 innings.

Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. hasn’t lent any credence to the talk surrounding Papelbon, but Jayson Stark of ESPN reported that executives around the league believe the club is actively shopping him.

“They’re talking to Boston and Detroit [about Papelbon] right now,” an exec of one team said. “They may not say they are, but I know they are.”

Said another: “Don’t be surprised if you see Papelbon end up in Detroit. If the Tigers have a chance to get the closer they need, they won’t let [a big asking price] stand in the way. So if you’re Ruben, how can you not do that if the Tigers step up the way I think they’re about to step up?”

The comments from rival executives speak to one of the most important things to understand about the trade deadline. What teams are saying publicly and what’s going on behind the scenes are often two completely different things.

General managers must keep their plans behind closed doors or risk losing key bargaining power in negotiations. If other teams knew the Phillies were trying to move Papelbon, it would be hard to ask for top dollar on the market.

This leads to a report from Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, who states that rival scouts and executives believe that Papelbon will be traded or heavily shopped around the league, at the very least. The return value could be the tipping point.

As for Papelbon, the Phils could hold onto him for next year, but rivals see too much of a need for bullpen help among contenders like Detroit and Boston. “Someone is going to offer them a lot for Pap,” said one rival exec.

That jives with what Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is hearing. While teams like the Boston Red Sox, Papelbon’s former club, and the Detroit Tigers are lurking, the Phillies are going to ask for a king’s ransom in return.

As for Lee and Papelbon, multiple teams will come calling no matter what the Phillies’ message is. The Red Sox and Tigers, in particular, are expected to be in the market for a closer. Lee holds the right to reject trades to 21 of 29 teams, but he made clear in this space his main goal is to pitch for a winner, suggesting he’s open to trade possibilities.

Many teams will be clamoring for Lee and Papelbon, who carry the potential to be the best starter and closer on the market. But it is quite clear at this point: The price tag on either would be astronomical.

In the end, all the reports point toward the same general conclusion. Philadelphia isn’t going to avoid listening to offers for Papelbon or any of their other veteran assets, but the other teams better be willing to pay up for talks to progress.

Amaro is playing it smart by keeping his plans out of the public realm. Whether a realistic offer comes along before the deadline is the biggest question. If not, the Phillies GM seems content keeping his current squad in place.

Everything will play itself out over the next couple of weeks.

 

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MLB Trade Rumors: Breaking Down Best Potential Landing Spots for Cole Hamels

Although the Philadelphia Phillies were hoping to hang around in the NL East race until their sluggers got healthy, it just didn’t happen. They currently sit 14 games behind the Washington Nationals, fueling speculation that ace Cole Hamels might be moved before the deadline.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports reports the Phillies will attempt to sign Hamels to a new contract before making him available, but one source told him there’s only a 30 percent chance of a deal. With that in mind, let’s look at the best possible destinations for the starter based on the report’s list.

 

1. Texas Rangers

The Rangers should have no trouble generating offense thanks to one of the deepest lineups in baseball. The confidence level in the team’s starting rotation isn’t quite as high, however, which makes Texas a prime candidate for Hamels.

There are question marks concerning just about every Texas starter. Matt Harrison has been a pleasant surprise, but his peripheral numbers point to a drop off in the second half. It’s tough to project how Yu Darvish will handle his first MLB workload. And Colby Lewis has battled injury.

That trio carried the rotation in the first half, so if they struggle it will be a major issue since nobody else has stepped up. Acquiring Hamels would give them a lot more stability in the rotation and take a lot of pressure off those other three pitchers.

 

2. Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander gives the Tigers a terrific chance to win every fifth day. It’s been those four days in between that have to worry the Tigers front office, especially when considering a potential playoff series against an elite offense like the Rangers or New York Yankees.

While a pitcher like Max Scherzer has a boatload of talent, he hasn’t been able to translate that into consistent success. Every other starter in the rotation remains unproven at the major league level, leaving a lot of question marks moving forward.

Putting together Verlander (right-hander) and Hamels (left-hander) would give the Tigers one of the best one-two punches in baseball. It would also mean they would only need one of those other starters to excel to have a formidable playoff rotation instead of two.

 

3. Boston Red Sox

Even though the Red Sox have dealt with some terrible injury luck, they are still in the thick of the playoff race and would benefit greatly from adding a front-line starter like Hamels. The team’s rotation has been a massive disappointment so far.

Jon Lester certainly hasn’t pitched like an ace. Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz have both underperformed. And it’s tough to trust pitchers like Felix Doubront and Franklin Morales, even though they have pitched well for stretches.

Bringing in Hamels to lead the rotation would give them a much better chance of chasing down the Wild Card leaders than sticking with the current group. Just like the other teams on the list, the Red Sox would also allow the Phillies to trade Hamels out of the National League.

 

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MLB Rumors: Trading Cole Hamels Would Be Major Mistake by Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies find themselves in a tough position after a slow start. They currently sit in the NL East basement, leading General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. to say he might have to consider selling at the trade deadline.

Even though the Phillies aren’t happy about their poor play after winning five straight division titles, it’s way too early to make selling an option. That’s especially true when you consider one of the names being floated around is starting pitcher Cole Hamels.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the Toronto Blue Jays have already contacted the Phillies in hopes of landing Hamels, who will be a free agent at season’s end. He states that no deal is imminent, but that talks have taken place.

While losing Hamels without getting anything other than a compensation pick for him is obviously a major concern, waiting until his contract year makes things extremely difficult on Amaro. Since the ace can enter free agency after the year, his open-market value is well below his actual value.

Hamels finished last season with a career-low 2.79 ERA, which ranked sixth in the National League. He’s shown even further improvement in 2012. He sports a 2.45 ERA and the peripheral numbers suggest it’s sustainable, mostly due to improved strikeout and walk rates.

Trading a superstar like him so early in the season—or at any point, really—would be a sign of surrender for the Phillies. While they envisioned a better start, no team has been able to run away with the division early, leaving Philadelphia just 5.5 games back despite playing well below expectations.

Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are both working their way back from injury and would provide a gigantic boost to a lineup that’s been been wildly inconsistent so far. If they can stay healthy, there’s no reason the Phillies can’t go on an extended hot streak.

They will need Hamels to make that possible, though. The drop-off from him to his replacement would be enormous, because the Blue Jays—or another team that steps up—probably wouldn’t be looking to deal any of their top-notch pitchers to get Hamels. They are looking for a deadline-year bargain.

So even though there are some obvious risks involved, the Phillies should keep Hamels. Getting him to re-sign would be the ideal scenario, but at the very least he will help them stay in contention and should give Philadelphia a hometown edge if he does enter free agency.

That’s likely better than any package teams would offer for him before the deadline. Ultimately, he’s worth more than the Phillies could get right now.

 

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