Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. pulled Shane Victorino aside for a conversation the other day in New York.Yes, it was about those trade rumors.He called me in, the same as Cole Hamels, and said, Just go out and play. Stay focused. Dont listen to that stuff, Victorino said Friday.Victorino appreciated Amaros sentiments, but said the conversation wasnt really necessary because hes not thinking about the possibility of being traded.Its not on my mind, he said. I dont get caught up in listening to that stuff.Victorino, like Hamels, can be a free agent at seasons end. Hamels could be trade bait if Amaro decides the Phillies are too far out of the race. The prevailing sentiment around baseball is that Victorino could be dealt whether the Phils are in the race or out.Victorino went 1 for 3 with a walk in Friday nights 5-0 loss to Atlanta (see game recap). He is hitting .248 with eight homers and 37 RBIs and a .315 on-base percentage in 85 games. In his last 21 games, he is hitting just .237 (18 for 76) with no extra-bases hits. Manager Charlie Manuel moved Victorino to the No. 2 spot in the batting order Friday night, in front of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, in hopes that it would help get him going at the plate.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.