ATLANTA - This is the time of year on the baseball calendar that generates ambition. Teams in contention covet the better players on lesser teams, executives swap banter, and scouts whisper to other scouts. So, when Vince Velasquez pitched Friday night in a 2-1 loss with three Texas Rangers officials in the stands and internet rumors abound, there was some intrigue.
No, Velasquez is not on the verge of being traded. Not unless the Phillies are overwhelmed by another team's offer, enough to eschew a new regime's public philosophy and sacrifice one of the few true power arms in the organization.