Cole Hamels Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Star Pitcher

Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels has been the subject of numerous trade rumors and reports, as teams look to bolster their rotations with the lefty’s services. 

Thursday, Nov. 13

Amaro Talks Trade Rumors

Bob Nightengale of USA Today talked to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. about the trade rumors surrounding Cole Hamels: 

“He was neutral when I talked to him,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro revealed. “Happy to go. I think he wants to win, but he signed his contract, and he plans on honoring the contract, obviously.”

Nightengale also detailed why the lefty hasn’t been dealt yet:

Teams should be lining up outside the hall of Amaro’s suite at the Arizona Biltmore to make enticing trade proposals for Hamels.

Yet, the cruel reality is that in today’s marketplace, there’s a greater chance of the Yankees retiring Alex Rodriguez‘s number than Hamels pitching in a different uniform on opening day.

The Chicago Cubs covet him. They would rather have him than Max Scherzer, Jon Lester or James Shields.

The trouble is that all Scherzer, Lester and Shields cost you is money. They’re all free agents.

Hamels costs you money — four years and $96 million remaining on his contract — and those coveted prospects.

No one these days wants to part with both.

“You’ve seen in the last several years that those prospects are highly coveted,” Amaro says. “It seems like teams are more apt to just spend money, because it’s just money. It’s not entities that they’re giving up as far as players are concerned, or talent. That’s kind of the trend we’re in.

“At the same time, there’s risk with that. You’re doling out a lot of money. It’s a difficult balance. “But the reality of it is, there isn’t that many elite pitchers out there. So we’ll see what happens.”

 

 

Monday, Nov. 10

The Boston Red Sox have been viewed as a potential landing spot for Philadelphia Phillies ace for months. There’s just one problem: Hamels’ contract specifically forbids the Phillies from trading him to Boston without his permission.   

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Boston is one of 20 teams named on Hamels’ no-trade clause, though he notes a deal could still be reached:

Hamels, 30, is expected to be one of the biggest names available on the trade market this winter as the Phillies look to retool their aging roster. Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reported management was looking for at least three quality prospects in return for Hamels, who has been a bastion of consistency despite the poor play around him.

Hamels had a career-best ERA (2.46) and had his eighth straight season between 3.5 and 4.6 wins above replacement, per FanGraphs. Despite his consistency, Hamels is only 17-23 over the last two seasons, garnering some of the worst run support in baseball. The Phillies averaged just 3.43 runs in Hamels’ starts in 2014 and 3.36 in 2013, per ESPN.com.

Philadelphia has missed the playoffs the last two seasons and had its first losing campaign in more than a decade in 2014. Phillies interim CEO Pat Gillick told Corey Seidman of CSN Philly the team won’t contend for at least the next two seasons.

“I think we’re more toward rebuilding than reloading,” Gillick said. “That’s my opinion. I think it’s hard to ask the fans, it’s hard to ask the media, it’s hard to ask, you know, anyone, to be patient. Patience is kind of thin these days. But I think this is going to be more of a rebuilding, more of a restructuring than a reloading.”

Trading Hamels could help that rebuild. Even with a hefty contract, he could be a Cy Young contender if moved to the right club.

 

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