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.