It was reported over the weekend that the Boston Red Sox recently made an offer to the Philadelphia Phillies for starter Cole Hamels, but the package didn't include any top prospects the Phillies wanted. Will Boston explore deals for other top-tier starters?
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald suggests the Red Sox take a look at Washington Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann, something that has already been speculated this offseason. The right-hander will earn $16.5 million in 2015 before hitting free agency next offseason and it's unlikely the Nats won't be able to afford giving him and Stephen Strasburg long-term contracts after signing Max Scherzer to a $210 million deal in January.
Although reports have suggested the Nationals plan to keep all of their starters for the 2015 season in hopes of maintaining a "super rotation," it's likely they receive calls from other clubs regarding Zimmermann as the season goes on and the trade deadline gets closer.
The Red Sox need an ace atop their rotation, and trading for Hamels has proved to be onerous - for a number of clubs. Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro wants three top prospects in return for the left-hander, who is owed $100 million over the next four seasons or $120 million over the next five (depending on whether he requires a team to pick up his vesting option if a trade were to occur). Boston has been linked to Hamels since last July, but the Phillies want prospects Blake Swihart or Mookie Betts to be the centerpiece in a deal for Hamels. The Red Sox have refused on numerous occasions.
"Cole Hamels would be a good story, too, don't get me wrong, because he's an 'ace,' but in Zimmermann, the Sox can get themselves a pitcher who is almost as good as Hamels, two years younger, and one who would require a far cheaper price in return talent," writes Silverman.
"The Red Sox would want to trade and almost immediately sign Zimmermann to a mammoth contract extension that would keep him on the roster for the next six years. He's good enough to warrant the effort and expense."
Let's not forget the Nationals have starter Tanner Roark, who will likely be relegated to the bullpen because of the addition of Scherzer. The 28-year-old Roark remains under club control through the 2019 season, which is good news for Washington since the right-hander was wildly impressive in his first full season as a starter. In 2014, Roark finished 15-10 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 31 starts (198 2/3) innings.
It's very possible the Nationals change their mind and seek to get value for Zimmermann as the trade deadline approaches. They have insurance with Roark and it wouldn't hurt to add a prospect or two to their deep farm system.
