The Phillies completed another step of their lengthy rebuilding process last night, trading flame-throwing closer Ken Giles to the Astros for four prospects. The 25-year-old Giles assumed the team's closer role after Jonathan Papelbon was dealt to the Nationals in July. He notched 15 saves with a 1.80 ERA in 70 innings in 2015, but it's unclear if Giles will overtake incumbent closer Luke Gregerson for Houston's ninth inning role.
The reaction to the trade in Philadelphia seems to be cautious optimism. Philadelphia has its share of veterans on the roster with no place on a rebuilding team, so the young, inexpensive Giles isn't a prototypical player to shop. But as Jonathan Papelbon's trade to Washington illustrated, a rebuilding team has little use for a dominant closer.
While it's speculative to guess who will assume Giles' role as Philadelphia's closer, the team did sign David Hernandez, a right-handed pitcher with stretches of closing experience, on Wednesday. The Good Phight examined the four prospects Philadelphia received from Houston in detail.