Red Sox not an option for Cole Hamels?
Sep 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
It could be a matter of money. It could be a sense of attachment. And it could be Cole Hamels’ no-trade list that keeps him with the Philadelphia Phillies.
In one case, his 20-team no-trade list, may simply keep Cole Hamels from becoming a member of the Boston Red Sox.
FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports sending Hamels to Beantown might not be all too easy.
Sources: #RedSox one of 20 teams on Hamels’ no-trade list. He would need to give #Phillies approval to trade him to Boston.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 10, 2014
Hamels would not necessarily reject #RedSox, but likely would require any team on no-trade list to pick up his $20 million option for 2019.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 10, 2014
The Red Sox have been rumored to have interest in Hamels for quite some time and the reported cost for the Phillies’ ace would be about three top-notch prospects. Boston, with some of the best prospects in baseball, seems to be in a good position to trade for Hamels if he and the Phillies come to terms.
As Rosenthal stated, Hamels’ no-trade list does not necessarily mean he won’t end up in Boston. The Phillies now seem in a position to sell big and the Red Sox, reportedly checking on big names like Hanley Ramirez, could be big buyers this offseason.