Just a couple of months ago rival executives expressed that Philadelphia Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro was "out of touch" with the market for Cole Hamels and his demands were deemed excessive for the left-hander. The latest trade rumors find that those executives may have had a point.
"One executive tells me that the Phillies are growing more realistic in what they want for Cole Hamels," FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported. "The Phils routinely get accused of overreaching, and it isn't always fair. The earlier request of Trevor Gott for Ben Revere [with the Los Angeles Angels] was quite reasonable, and Gott's recent success with the Angels proves that the Phillies were after the right guy."
However, it's possible Amaro was after too many of those "right guys" as he previously demanded three top prospects in return for Hamels. The veteran has certainly performed at a level that deserves a considerable return in a trade, but it's still unlikely another club is going to compromise the potential future of their organization for a 31-year-old pitcher.
"Hamels certainly fits the description of an ace pitcher, but a $24 million salary, 20-team no-trade list and the Phillies' inability to receive an offer close to their asking price has kept him in Philly," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
It's been said Hamels would block trades to the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays, but the left-hander recently expressed he's open to all ideas and scenarios. The Phillies hired Andy MacPhail in late June to take over as team president after the season and he'll join the organization as a consultant in the meantime, which makes many wonder if Philadelphia's trade deadline plan is changing.
"[The Phillies] are sellers, but how much they'll sell in the next few weeks is now in question," ESPN Insider Jim Bowden writes. "The team recently hired Andy MacPhail, who has a history of working slowly and wanting to 'win' deals instead of simply taking the best of what's available at a given time."
There's no question the Phillies would win a deal for Hamels. They are guaranteed to get a formidable return for him, but it just probably won't be as excessive as draining another club's farm system of all its top talent, especially if the recipient is inheriting all of his salary.
Heyman notes the Astros, Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees are actively seeking starting rotation upgrades. Each organization either has the prospects or the money to acquire Hamels, so it's expected he'll be dealt before July 31 given the pitching troubles affecting many contending teams.
And if Philadelphia is becoming more realistic about what they're going to receive in a deal, be prepared to see Hamels in a new uniform soon.
