There are still questions surrounding a number of veterans on the Philadelphia Phillies. The team is in the middle of a rebuilding period and trade speculation regarding starters Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee remains the hot topic heading into spring training.
Hamels has been the subject of consistent trade talks since July and a number of teams are likely still interested in the left-hander even though discussions have subsided over the past month or so. Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro has been asking for a lot in return for Hamels, which is why many teams are seemingly heading into spring training to see how the incumbents in their rotations perform before making such a drastic move.
Hamels is owed $100 million over the next four years and Philadelphia wants three top prospects for him, so it's a hefty price to pay.
Amaro also previously noted that he expects Hamels to be starting for the Phillies on Opening Day, and that was even before the Texas Rangers acquired Yovani Gallardo from the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Diego Padres signed free-agent starter James Shields. Texas and San Diego were among clubs involved in talks for Hamels. Amaro drove that point home again on Monday.
"I would expect him to be in spring training with the Phillies," Amaro told ESPN's Jayson Stark. "And I would expect him to be our Opening Day starter. I don't know that for sure. That could change in a phone call or two, just like with anyone else. But I would expect him to be in camp."
The Boston Red Sox, who have been widely viewed as the frontrunners for Hamels, are also believed to be staying quiet heading into spring training after general manager Ben Cherington said the team's roster is likely "in place" for now and he doesn't expect to make major moves before Opening Day.
But there is one starter the Phillies may trade before then. Cliff Lee made only 13 starts in 2014 due to a flexor pronator strain in his left elbow, but he's been throwing off a mound this offseason and will have no limitations in spring training.
"One exec who spoke with Phillies says he was told they could move Cliff Lee as soon as spring training if he proves healthy," Stark also reported.
The left-hander is owed $25 million for the 2015 season and has a $27.5 million vesting option for 2016 if he pitches 200 innings in 2015. The '16 option can be bought out for $12.5 million. His contract can either make him worth $25 million for one year, $37.5 million for one year, or $52.5 million for two years.
If he's healthy there's likely to be a few suitors. A number of MLB teams sent scouts to Lee's first start off the disabled list back in July to see if his health improved because various clubs were looking for a reliable starter at the trade deadline. However, after being knocked around in that start on July 21, Lee was shut down for the final two months of the season after he was pulled from an outing against the Washington Nationals on July 31 during which he lasted only 2 2/3 innings.
