Cole Hamels trade market is heating up, and he is drawing interest from a number of teams including the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, and Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports.
Hamels appears to be the clear second option for teams pursuing Jon Lester, namely Boston and Chicago.
After spending at least $183 million on Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, many believe that the Red Sox are not financially capable of acquiring Lester’s services.
At the same time, the Red Sox are in need of a top of the rotation arm to anchor their currently weak rotation. Hamels will make just over $22 million dollars the next four seasons. He is a more affordable option than Lester, and his contract is much shorter.
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Hamels is willing to waive his no-trade clause to Boston if the Red Sox guarantee his $20 million option for 2019. The Red Sox have also had the most serious talks with the Phillies according to Nightengale.
The Cubs are also in pursuit of Hamels, but they are also trying to make a run at Max Scherzer, and Jon Lester. They have financial flexibility, and plenty of prospects to deal.
Like the Red Sox and the Cubs, the Dodgers have financial freedom, and prospects to deal. Acquiring the veteran left hander would give the Dodgers three aces: Clayton Kershaw, Zach Greinke, and Hamels.
Hamels had another great season for the Phillies in 2014 finishing with a 2.46 era, 3.07 FIP, and a 198/59 SO/BB ratio in 204.2 innings.
He has pitched over 200 innings the past five seasons including 220 innings in 2013. He is consistent and durable, and he is only 30 years old which makes him really attractive on the trade market.
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