It’s time to move on from Velasquez
PHILADELPHIA >> Vince Velasquez threw 53 pitches Saturday, too few in the intended direction, too many pounded to the vacant corners of Citizens Bank Park. Hours later, he’d essentially throw a 54th going high and tight on Joe Girardi.
“My intention was to go out there and keep pitching as far as I possibly can,” Velasquez announced, after the Phillies had just lost by a dozen runs. “I know there’s more expectations of me. But in a situation like that, I can’t do anything when you take the ball out of my hand.”
The Phillies have been stuffing the ball in Vince Velasquez’s right hand since 2016. Pete Mackanin tried it. Gabe Kapler thought it to be a good idea. So has Girardi. He is on his fifth pitching coach, Caleb Cotham trying to figure out what left Bob McClure, Rich Kranitz, Chris Young and Bryan Price stumped. And still, after 132 games, Four Inny Vinny is likely to perform as he did Saturday, in an important division game.
Mr. Girardi, if you please …
“His command has not been good. His fastball location was not good tonight. His breaking ball was not good tonight, especially to left-handers. It’s hard to pitch if you don’t locate the baseball. And he has not been doing that as well as he was early on.”
That was from a manager who has patiently waited through a season of horrifying approaches at the plate, collapsing closers, banana-peel-slip baserunning, slow-pitch-softball outfield defense and Alec Bohm’s throwing accuracy, a baseball version of Hack-a-Ben. That was from a manager who has been so oddly tolerant of bum baseball that the team president is at ease with the idea of allowing him to roll into a lame-duck season without a contract extension. That was from a manager who has yet to grunt a disapproving syllable about Hector Neris, who is about to cost him a job.
So when Girardi unloaded on Velasquez, even if he did sprinkle in a few back-door qualifiers, it had the effect of a blaring siren: No more. Not after five years, five pitching coaches, four managers and a 30-39 record.
That so many baseball people, one or two of them competent, gave Velasquez so many opportunities suggested he had one of two qualities: A potentially dazzling arm or a way of selling himself as useful. It was both, probably. But never has one player been so valued for so long essentially on the strength of one, 16-strikeout performance, which is what Velasquez uncorked in his second start with the Phils. Even as fans cringe whenever his name appears in the list of upcoming probable pitchers, the Phillies have refused to acknowledge that it would be better for all if he were just working somewhere else. There are reasons for the Phillies to keep Velasquez around for at least a few days, but not more. He wouldn’t be scheduled to pitch for another four days anyway. And with the lack of arms, industry wide, there is the slightest chance that Dave Dombrowski could land a lowlevel minor-league arm for him before Friday.
Spencer Howard will start Monday night against visiting Washington, and without any limitations, according to Girardi. And Sunday the Phillies, who obviously were in no hurry, finally recalled Chase Anderson from the Covid-related IL. With Dombrowski reporting that Zach Eflin is progressing nicely from a minor knee issue, Girardi technically will be deep enough in starters without Velasquez. And if Dombrowski, who plans to be aggressive, were to find another starter at the deadline, or if the Phillies feel Cole Hamels can help in August, then it is time for the Velasquez Experience to end.
The Phillies knew their four-game series against Atlanta would be critical. They were right to expect Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, at home, to win their starts. They did. If the Phils were going to drop one, it would have been Thursday, after returning in the middle of the night from New York. That left Velasquez’s Saturday start as the swing game. By the time he was lifted in the third, the Braves had a 4-0 lead with two runners on. Yet he basically racewalked off the mound in what could have been interpreted as a silent revolt against the decision.
“After 53 pitches, I have a lot of arm left, man,” Velasquez said. “At the same time, that’s what starting pitching requires: Trying to figure out outs.”
The Phillies have been trying to figure Velasquez out since acquiring him as a key piece in a deal that sent Ken Giles to the Astros.
Not happening.
“It’s a tough day on my end,” Velasquez said, who remains on the work schedule for a Thursday start against visiting Washington. “It’s kind of embarrassing, to be honest with you. But I have to accept it for what it is and get ready for my next start.”
The Phillies must make certain it is for some other team.