The trade rumors surrounding Cole Hamels have been fairly quiet over the past few weeks and now we know why. It was reported on Wednesday night that Philadelphia Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro is involved in "staredowns" regarding trades with four different teams.
According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, these "staredowns" may give the Phillies a tough time getting the value they want for the left-hander. The teams said to be a part of these trade talks include the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers, but it's unclear whether any of them have an edge. We know that San Diego, Boston and Texas have the prospects to offer the Phillies, it's just a matter of how much Amaro is asking for.
It was noted earlier in the offseason that the Phillies wanted three top prospects in exchange for Hamels, who has four years and $100 million remaining on his contract. It's also believed that if Hamels were to agree to a trade, he would request that the new team pick up his $20 million team option for 2019, which would bring the contract total to five years and $114 million (the final year requires a $6 million buyout if the team option is declined, so the guaranteed total is four years and $100 million). According to Baseball Reference, the 31-year-old is set to earn $23.5 million for the next four seasons and has a $20 million team option, a $24 million vesting option (if he throws 400 innings in 2017 and 2018 and doesn't go on the disabled list with a shoulder or elbow injury in 2018), or a $6 million buyout.
The good news for the Padres and Cardinals is that Hamels said he would prefer a trade to the West Coast or the Midwest because he wants his children to be close to their families. The left-hander is from San Diego while his wife and her family are from the St. Louis area. However, Hamels also reiterated his top choice would be the team with the greatest will to win because "that trumps almost anything." Well it's certain the Padres have put themselves in a position to win while the Cardinals and Red Sox have been wildly successful over the past decade. The Rangers are a bit behind after a disastrous 2014 season, but could very well have a bounce back year in 2015.
But Matt Lombardo of NJ.com notes the Rangers could be a legitimate threat to land Hamels since they have plentiful prospects to provide Philadelphia. Texas is also one of nine teams not on Hamels' no trade list, so he can be dealt there without waiving his clause or having a say in the matter.
Perhaps the Red Sox are the frontrunners because they've been engaged in talks with the Phillies since before the July 31 deadline. Boston reportedly rejected a number of offers from Philadelphia because it's believed they don't want to part ways with prospects Mookie Betts and/or Blake Swihart.
Whatever the case, Salisbury believes Hamels will "eventually" be dealt, whether it's before spring training or the 2015 trade deadline.
