The New York Yankees seem to be busy this offseason. After being linked to being interested in signing Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier, they are reportedly also moving to sign Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Vince Velasquez to contract.
Many believe that the righthanded Velasquez has the potential to become a great one given his pitching skills. Velasquez was reportedly almost being traded to the Texans Rangers before the August 1st trade deadline but the deal was called off and according to reports, the Phillies seems to be asking too much in return.
And the Yankees is setting its sight to Velasquez this offseason trying to have an upgrade in their pitching personnel this winter. According to Yanks Go Yard, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is set to explore possible ways to acquire the young talented Velasquez once the Philadelphia Phillies are ready to sit down on the MLB trading table.
The 24-year old Velasquez have a pitching average of 4.12 ERA and 3.96 FIP with 131 career-high innings while striking 10.4 batters per nine this 2016 season as per stated in the report. One weakness for Velasquez is his home run rate which 1.4 HR per 9 but the Yankees could afford to accept this base on the promising talent the young man could give.
The latest MLB trade rumors also suggest that though the Phillies seems to be not inclined to trade Velasquez at this moment, the Yankees are set to make Aaron Judge, Clint Frazier, Gleyber Torres and Jorge Mateo ready as trade package whomever the Phillies would like to pick and might entice them to make a deal with the Yankees.
Last April, Empire Writes Back have already reported that the Yankees almost acquired Vince Velasquez from the Houston Astros before the MLB 2016 season starts. However, the Astros choose the package of Ken Giles from the Philadelphia Phillies that pave the way for Velasquez to be on the Phillies roster.
And now, it seems that the interest of the Yankees to Velasquez is still alive chasing him again this time and willing to give up some high price assets in order to make a deal.
Will the New York Yankees able to sign Vince Velasquez and convince the Philadelphia Phillies to release him? Stay tuned to the latest MLB trade updates and rumors.
