Philadelphia Phillies: Would the Team Trade Cole Hamels If No Deal Is Reached?

A 2013 starting rotation that does not include Cole Hamels may be something that the Philadelphia Phillies never want to envision.  However, with each day that an agreement on a long-term deal is not reached, the chance remains that Hamels could be pitching elsewhere next season.

Both the Phillies and Hamels have expressed their desire to reach a long-term deal, and negotiations during spring training have seemingly led to differing opinions on the new contract’s length rather than financial amount.

Hamels, who has spent his entire career with the Phillies after being drafted by the team in 2002, has gone 75-55 with 1,110 strikeouts and a 3.40 ERA during his six-year major league career.

Last season the left-hander went 14-9 with 194 strikeouts and a 2.79 ERA while finishing fifth in National League Cy Young award voting.

These types of performances have put Hamels, a free agent-to-be, in line for a long-term deal worth over $100 million, a dollar figure that only a handful of pitchers in major league history have received.

While the financial amount of Hamels’ next contract is sure to place him among the league’s highest paid pitchers, uncertainty surrounds which team will sign him to such a deal.

Although Hamels, the Phillies, and a majority of fans may rather see the pitcher re-sign with the team on a long-term contract, each day that an agreement is not reached continues with the uncertainty.

And as the season progresses without a new contract in place, a question could arise that neither the fans nor the team may want to ask:

Would the Phillies trade Cole Hamels if no deal is reached?

The Phillies could either sign Hamels to a long-term deal prior to free agency or risk watching him leave during the offseason and receive only draft pick compensation in return.

The recent contract given to Matt Cain by the San Francisco Giants is likely to factor into the Phils’ negotiations, as Hamel’s next deal could exceed the six-year, $127.5 million deal given to Cain that includes a vesting option for a seventh season.

Another potential factor may be the recent sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who could afford to sign Hamels to a deal worth well over $100 million if he becomes a free agent.

With less competition on the free-agent market to be the top starting pitcher available, and potential suitors beginning to surface, could the Phillies have a decision to make if no deal is reached early in the season?

A trade may be a long shot, but its potential benefits could play a role if the Phils feel as if Hamels is leaning towards departing.

Trading Hamels, a left-handed pitcher still in his prime, could single-handedly replenish the Phillies’ farm system.

If trades for Zack Greinke and Gio Gonzalez in consecutive offseasons led to the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics each receiving four prospects in return, a trade for Hamels could result in the Phillies receiving at least four, if not five prospects to add to their minor league system.  A team would have to be willing to acquire Hamels in the hopes of signing him to a long-term deal, but the potential payoff could be too enticing to let pass.

The Milwaukee Brewers also traded four prospects in order to acquire CC Sabathia in 2008, a left-hander who, similar to Hamels, was a few months away from free agency.

Trading Hamels could also result in the Phillies acquiring major league level talent to add to their lineup.  With uncertainty in left field, and potential replacements needed at third base and center field next season, trading Hamels could help the Phils solidify their lineup going forward.

Hamels also plays a position that may be the strongest of any area of the Phillies roster.

Of course, it would be much stronger with Hamels in the fold for the long term.

Hamels already has 19 strikeouts in 12.1 innings this season, while walking just one batter.  His strikeout total ties him for the early season lead in the National League.

Trading Hamels may be the last move the Phillies want to make, but as the season continues and no deal is reached, the team may have to consider the long-term future of the entire roster.  As injuries continue to mount and run production continues to decline, the money potentially given to Hamels could also go to other areas of the lineup.

Every effort may be given to keeping Hamels in a Phillies uniform past this season, but if no deal is reached, the Phils may be forced to look at all of their options.

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