By: Brandon Apter, contributor 
One of the key offseason trades made by the Phillies was sending their closer, Ken Giles, to the Astros as a part of a seven-player deal that also sent shortstop prospect Jonathan Arauz to Houston. In exchange for Giles, the Phillies acquired pitchers Mark Appel, Vince Velasquez, Brett Oberholtzer, Victor Arauz and Thomas Eshelman. It seems, as of this moment, the Phillies are the winners of the deal as Giles will not open the season as the closer for the Astros.
Luke Gregerson will open the season as the Astros primary closer, A.J. Hinch said. Hinch did not rule out chance Giles gets some save oops.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) April 4, 2016
Before being traded, the flame-throwing Giles saved 15 of 17 games for the Phillies following the departure of Jonathan Papelbon, posting a 1.80 ERA. While some fans were surprised at the trade, a rebuilding team like the Phillies really had no use for a closer when player development is really the key for this season and next, at least.
Giles didn't necessarily do much to help his cause in Spring Training, allowing seven runs on 12 hits in 9.1 innings on the mound. Opposing hitters averaged .308 off of him. Meanwhile, Luke Gregerson threw just 2.1 innings and allowed one run on one hit while striking out six. That was enough to solidify the closer spot in the bullpen. Gregerson, 31, had a career-high 31 saves and a 2.79 ERA as Houston's closer last season.
The Phillies part of this deal is already showing its benefits, with Vince Velasquez slated to start the season in the big league rotation and Brett Oberholtzer in the bullpen. Mark Appel will begin 2016 in Lehigh Valley while Victor Arauz has been assigned to Class 'A' Lakewood and Thomas Eshelman heads to Advanced 'A' Clearwater.
