Last night we ran an article about ESPN Insider Buster Olney saying the trade market for a pitcher such as Cole Hamels is actually diminishing despite the countless injuries that have hurt starting rotations across the MLB. The St. Louis Cardinals are one of those teams and they still may trade for a starter.
General manager John Mozeliak noted the club will try to fill Adam Wainwright's spot in the rotation internally, but he was also realistic, acknowledging that may not be the best option if things don't go their way.
"That's a big void," Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch of Wainwright's loss. "That's why when you look at our internal options it's what can you expect out of Marco Gonzales? What can you expect out of Jaime Garcia? I think those are questions that we can't answer today. But as things progress we may have a better understanding. If their production ends up being zero, then the likelihood of us being able to solve this problem here is almost impossible ...
"When you think about losing somebody like Adam Wainwright, it's not something that you can just fill ... As we think about this more long term, that might be where we have to consider something outside."
If Gonzales and Garcia fail to provide a long-term option in the rotation and prospects Tim Cooney and Tyler Lyons also don't pan out, it's clear Mozeliak will have to consider options outside of the organization. And the top name immediately available on the trade market is Hamels. The Cardinals spoke to the Phillies during the offseason about the left-hander's availability, but Philadelphia wanted too much in return.
Hamels noted earlier in the offseason that St. Louis is one of the destinations he would prefer a trade to if something were to go down because that's where his wife's family is from. However, when asked about the possibility of joining the Cardinals earlier this week as the Phillies are in St. Louis for a four-game set, he was not very open.
"I don't think I'm going to address that, sorry," he told Dan O'Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
But he did have some good things to say about to organization and its fan base.
"Yeah, this is a great stadium," he added. "It's pure enjoyment to go out ... you know you're playing a great team every year. Every year I've pitched against them they've been near the top of the division. It shows with the World Series (wins) they have and, obviously, with all the postseason appearances. You know you're going to get a good game and the crowd comes. It's something fun."
Rumors previously suggested the only way a deal could get done between the Cardinals and Phillies is if St. Louis surrendered pitcher Carlos Martinez in a package for Hamels. Mozeliak certainly will not do that at this point considering the starting rotation is thin, but the Phillies could come down to Earth soon as they realize clubs in need of a starter are not going to give in to their demands.
Although Hamels is owed $96 million over the next four years, he would be a good fit for the Cardinals because the club - aside from Tim Cooney who is filling in for Wainwright as of now - has no left-handers in their starting rotation. Additionally, John Lackey will become a free agent after the season, which would open up a spot for Hamels and create a rotation that would also consist of Wainwright, Lance Lynn, Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez.
Mozeliak is likely dreaming of such a possibility to work out, but he still has some work to do before working on a trade for the veteran.
