Philadelphia Phillies: It is time to move on from Vince Velasquez

It feels as if we have been saying this for years, but it is time for the Philadelphia Phillies to finally move on from Vince Velasquez. I mean seriously, how much more do we need to see to know that this guy is not cut out to be in the starting rotation of a team that is trying to make a postseason push?

Coming off an absolute 7-0 THUMPING at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates (seriously?) on Friday night which saw Vince give up five earned runs in two innings of work, it is hard to imagine the Phillies brass thinking it is a good idea to send him back out again.

Friday night’s defeat was just another chapter of the Vince Velasquez saga, which saw his ERA rise to 8.40 in his last 11 starts; pretty remarkable stuff. When you really sit down and think about it, even with a bad division, it is hard to believe the Phillies are still right in the race considering they’ve had Velasquez make 17 starts (and 21 appearances overall) so far here in 2021. Those appearances have translated to an ERA of 5.95 and a -0.1 WAR in 81.2 innings pitched.

The Philadelphia Phillies seriously need to move on from Vince Velasquez.

This is nothing new for Phillies fans, as most have been clamoring for the franchise to move on from the now veteran for years now. In his six seasons here in Philadelphia, Vince has accumulated a record of 30-40 with an ERA of 4.93 in 133 appearances (116 starts).

The fact that management has continued to roll the dice on bringing him back is insane, especially when you consider they are paying him $4 million this season. They may have been better off paying Velasquez that $4 million to NOT be on the roster.

Yet, here we are, trying to make a serious push to win the National League East and return to the postseason for the first time in a decade, with one of the worst pitchers in Major League Baseball entrenched in the starting rotation.

With Velasquez set to hit free agency this winter and it becoming increasingly clear the team will not look to re-sign the right hander, it would probably be in everybody’s best interest to just designate Velasquez for assignment and distance ourselves from this catastrophe.

More from Section 215

• 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
• 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
• Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
• Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles

Eating the remainder of his salary would be a tough pill to swallow for the front office, but honestly who cares at this point? The other back end options for the rotation are far from ideal, but this song and dance has gone on far too long.

Heck, Chase Anderson relieved Vince on Friday night, and had a decent showing, allowing two earned runs and striking out five in four innings of work. His 6.75 ERA is awful as well, but he has looked much better since returning from the COVID list, pitching six strong innings across two outings. It may be time to give him another chance in the rotation.

With all of this being said, it is seriously time for the Philadelphia Phillies to move on from Vince Velasquez. DFA him, send him to the minors, send him to the moon for all I care. Just get this dude out of the starting rotation, no matter what it takes. The team and the fanbase would be much better off.