Kenny Giles, image- Jay Floyd
After a day full of hot stove rumors indicating the Phillies were in talks with Houston about a deal for righty closer Kenny Giles, several reports have the deal in place, pending physicals.
A reporter from a Fox affiliate in Houston tweeted incorrect facts about the trade multiple time, but it seems the return coming back for the 25-year-old Giles are right-handed hurler Vincent Velasquez, left-handed pitcher Brett Oberholtzer and outfielder Derek Fisher.
Velsaquez, a 23-year-old, was a 2nd round pick by Houston in 2010. With terrific upside, the youngster sported a 4-0 record with a 1.91 ERA and a 12.3 K/9 mark in nine games at the Double-A level last season prior to a promotion to the big league. With the Astros, in 19 games (seven starts) Velasquez tallied a 4.37 ERA and a .240 batting average against.
Oberholtzer, 26, has an 11-20 record in 3.94 ERA in 45 career big league outings. He was an 8th round draft selection by Houston in 2008.
Fisher, 22, posted a .275 average with 22 homers and 87 RBI in 123 combined games at Class A and High A last season. He is said to have plus speed, having swiped 31 bags in 38 chances this year.
Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki also reports a 4th player is headed to Philly for Giles. Details to come.
Giles took over the role of Phillies’ closer this season, in his second year in the big leagues, following the trade of All-Star reliever Jonathan Papelbon. In 69 outings last season, Giles sported a 6-3 record with 15 saves and a 1.80 ERA.
With the Phils fully in rebuild mode and expected to make a run at last place again next year, the need for a stud closer isn’t a great one. The return of Velasquez and Fisher along with whatever else the Astros send to Philly for the occasional 100 MPH fastball of Giles is a solid one for sure.
*UPDATE*
Astros beat writer Evan Drellich tweeted late Wednesday night that the fourth player coming from Houston is Thomas Eshelman.
Source: Thomas Eshelman is 4th Astros player Phillies get for Ken Giles. Final haul pending meds: Velasquez, Fisher, Oberholtzer, Eshelman
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) December 10, 2015
Eshelman is a 21-year-old right-hander hurler. The six-foot-three 210-pounder was a 2nd round draft pick this year and pitched in just four pro games in his young career.
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