ASTROS ACQUIRE CLOSER GILES FROM PHILLIES

The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to trade closer Ken Giles to the Houston Astros for pitchers Vincent Velasquez and Brett Oberholtzer, along with two other prospects: minor league outfielder Derek Fisher and right-handed prospect Thomas Eshelman.

Giles, 25, has had back-to-back seasons with ERAs under 2.00 and has struck out 151 hitters in 115⅔ major league innings. He became the Phillies' closer late in the season after the trade of Jonathan Papelbon.

Velazquez, a 23-year-old right-hander, made 19 big league appearances for the Astros this year and projects as a No. 3 starter.
Velasquez was the Astros' second-round pick in the 2010 draft. He went 4-0 with a 1.91 ERA in nine appearances in Double-A this year.
ESPN MLB Insider Keith Law ranked him Houston's No. 2 pitching prospect and No. 3 prospect overall coming into this season.