Velasquez calm with trade rumors swirling

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ATLANTA — Matt Klentak made Vince Velasquez the centerpiece to his first major trade as Phillies general manager in December.

Could Velasquez really be traded again, fewer than eight months later?

The Phillies and Rangers are having serious talks about the possibility, although sources told MLB.com on Friday they do not believe anything is close. But three Rangers’ scouts, including one of their top talent evaluators, watched Velasquez pitch in Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Braves at Turner Field. Texas would not be wasting the manpower if talks were not legitimate, although they are expected to watch Jeremy Hellickson pitch Saturday night, too.

MLB Network’s Jon Paul Morosi first reported earlier this week that Texas wants Velasquez.

“Am I aware of it? Yeah,” Velasquez said about the trade speculation. “I can’t control anything. If they trade me, they trade me. I can’t do anything about it. What am I going to do? The only thing I can do is pitch. That’s my job.”

It is safe to say the Phillies would have to be very impressed with a trade package to deal a young and talented pitcher under team control through 2021. Klentak and Phillies president Andy MacPhail have repeatedly stressed they believe they key to returning to the …

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