PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros are reportedly discussing a trade involving closer Ken Giles, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
The Phillies have shown interest in right-handers Lance McCullers and Vincent Velasquez, per Crasnick's sources.
#Astros and #Phillies recently discussed Ken Giles. #Phillies brought up Lance McCullers and Vincent Velasquez, sources say.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 2, 2015
Crasnick later added that the Phillies are "getting a lot of hits on Giles" and that "trade talks are likely to intensify in Nashville" at the Dec. 7-10 Winter Meetings.
McCullers, 22, was 6-7 with a 3.22 ERA over 22 starts as a rookie last season. He had 129 strikeouts in 125 2/3 innings, which ranked third on the team behind American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel (216) and Collin McHugh (171).
Velasquez, 23, started in seven and finished five games for the Astros last season. Overall, he was 1-1 with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.275 WHIP ratio over 19 appearances and 55 2/3 innings.
The Phillies are reportedly asking for "two or three high-ceiling prospects" in return for Ken Giles, who recorded 15 saves in 20 opportunities last season.
The Astros were first linked to Giles, along with the Miami Marlins, on Nov. 19 via a report by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Giles will not be arbitration eligible until after the 2017 season.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
