Boston Red Sox Trade Rumors: Cole Hamels Still In Team’s Sights, But Cost May Be Too High
The Boston Red Sox are looking at trade rumors that would address the team’s rotation by adding Cole Hamels, but it may cost more than the Sox are willing to pay.
The rumors regarding Hamels have stretched back for several weeks, with sources saying the Philadelphia Phillies want one of Boston’s top prospects in return for the ace. But so far, the teams have been unable to come to terms, as the Red Sox have balked at included promising young players like Blake Swihart or Mookie Betts.
The #Phillies want prized catching prospect Blake Swihart from #Redsox in deal for Hamels. The Red Sox continue to refuse. #stalemate
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 3, 2015
But some think both the Red Sox and Phillies are willing to wait, hoping the market will push the other team into giving in.
The SB Nation blog Over the Monster explained the situation.
“The hope for the Phillies is that, a few months from now, the Red Sox will find themselves in a situation where they’re that much more desperate for starting pitching. It’s strange how taking a few months off a contract can actually increase its market value when those months are April, May, and June.
“For the Red Sox, they’ll hope that the market will still not be willing to meet the Phillies’ asking price, and Ruben Amaro Jr. will be willing to capitulate as his threat of holding out on a Hamels deal loses more and more punch with each offseason that passes.”
Some believe that the Red Sox have a strong advantage over other teams in the running for Cole Hamels. Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe wrote the following.
“If the Phillies start Cole Hamels on Opening Day against the Red Sox, it will have been a failed offseason for general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. Rebuilding is not a job that can be done halfway. Once Amaro traded Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd, there’s little choice but to finish the job by dealing Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee, and Jonathan Papelbon. The longer he waits, the harder that will become.
“Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington kBoston Red Sox Trade Rumors: Cole Hamels Still In Team’s Sights, But Cost May Be Too Highnows this and can afford to sit quietly and wait for Amaro to come to him. Because even the second-best deal he can get for Hamels from the Red Sox is likely better than he can get elsewhere.”
But while the team waits on Cole Hamels, there are other Boston Red Sox trade rumors looking at other starting pitchers. The Cincinnati Reds may be willing to part with Johnny Cueto at the trade deadline, with experts saying he would come at a much more reasonable cost for the Red Sox.
[Image via Getty/Brian Garfinkel]
