Phillies Reportedly Shopping Cole Hamels
BOSTON (CBS) -- The MLB postseason has only just begun and the leaves are just starting to change colors around Boston, but the hot stove is already heating up.
According to a report out of Philadelphia, the Phillies have decided to trade starter Cole Hamels in hopes of rebuilding their farm system. The Boston Red Sox, in need of a starting pitcher or two, are expected to be one of the teams in hot pursuit of the lefty ace.
Hamels, who will turn 31 over the offseason, could fill Boston's vacancy at the front end of their rotation. Over his nine-year career, the lefty has a record of 108-83 with a 3.27 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He won a World Series with Philadelphia in 2008 and was named the series MVP after going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fall classic (he was 4-0 for the postseason that year). Overall, Hamels is 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA in the playoffs.
The three-time All Star went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA in 30 starts for Philadelphia in 2014.
What might be most attractive for the Red Sox, who were already rumored to be interested in Hamels during the regular season, is his contract. He is signed for the next four seasons and will make $22.5 million per year, with a team option for 2019. Boston would only have to worry about paying Hamels $90 million over four years, or a maximum of $114 million.
Former Sox ace Jon Lester, Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers and James Shields of the Kansas City Royals will all be free agents this offseason, and will all likely command more than what Hamels is scheduled to make for the rest of his deal.
But there will be a hefty price tag to acquire Hamels from the Phillies, who are reportedly looking for a handful of prospects in return. Boston has plenty of prospects to deal, but with a high salary contract already attached to Hamels, they may be unwilling to meet all of the Phillies' demands.
The Red Sox could also have some competition if they want to land Hamels, with Theo Epstein's Chicago Cubs also reportedly in the mix.
Gresh & Zolak Discuss Cole Hamels:
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