Boston Red Sox Trade Rumors: Cole Hamels May Be Headed To The Red Sox
According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, the Boston Red Sox are actively trying to put together a trade that would make their starting rotation infinitely better. Boston is currently ranked 28th in pitching.
The Boston Red Sox are currently pursuing Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels. The last place team in the American League East are one in a long list of teams looking to acquire Hamels. The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently the frontrunners to acquire the 31-year-old pitcher, but the Boston Red Sox seem to be making a big push.
Red Sox are "actively" trying to trade for Cole Hamels, in talks prospect package that would bring him to Boston.http://t.co/8WxCBvxog2
— Boston Sports News (@BostonSprtsNews) July 24, 2015
The Boston Red Sox were trying to acquire Cole Hamels over the winter, but they were obviously unable to complete the transaction. The team’s strong interest shows that they still want to be in the mix for Hamels as the MLB trade deadline approaches on July 31.
The Boston Red Sox starting rotation has been an eye sore all season. Clay Bucholz was holding down the top position before an elbow injury, and Wade Miley had been exactly what the Red Sox thought they were trading for since May started. But Joe Kelly and Justin Masterson have been disasters, and while Rick Porcello is not a lost cause yet, he has not helped the team’s performance with his lackluster pitching.
Adding Hamels to the mix for the Boston Red Sox, plugging the fifth spot with a free agent or prospect, and hoping Porcello can bounce back next season could give the team a quality rotation for the 2016 season. While many things would need to go right, this is definitely possible for Boston.
The acquisition of Cole Hamels will not come without a hefty cost. The Boston Red Sox have made it quite clear that they are unwilling to deal Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart, but that means every other player has to be a possibility. A balance of quality and quantity could finish this trade if the Dodgers negotiations are any indication.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are unwilling to trade both Corey Seager and Jose Urias, which means they may have to give up six good prospects to make up for it. The Red Sox farm system was recently named the best by Keith Law of ESPN, meaning they have the pieces to make this deal work and still have an array of young talent to look forward to in the future.
Do you think the Boston Red Sox will make a transaction in order to acquire Cole Hamels? If not, what other moves do you see the Red Sox making before the trade deadline on July 31?
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