Boston Red Sox Rumors: Scott Kazmir Could Be New Trade Target As Cole Hamels Talks Fizzle

The Boston Red Sox are rumored to be looking into a new trade possibility as plans for a deal to bring Cole Hamels remains stagnant.

Reports indicate that the team may look to Oakland A’s lefthander Scott Kazmir, who would likely come at a much more affordable price than Hamels.

As Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo noted, a deal for Kazmir could be much easier to put together, especially given Oakland’s penchant for making deal during rebuilding seasons.

He wrote as follows.

“Last season was a good year for the A’s, and [A’s general manager Billy Beane] had no problem trading top prospect Addison Russell in the Jeff Samardzjia/Jason Hammel deadline deal with the Cubs. He also traded middle-of-the-order hitter Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox for Jon Lester.

In bad years — and it’s quickly becoming one in Oakland — Beane knows it’s important to replenish his farm system by being a seller at the trade deadline.”

The Boston Red Sox rumors have some other factors working in their favor. Scott Kazmir will become a free agent, giving the A’s a little more urgency to move him and get whatever value they can. He would be an improvement to the Red Sox rotation, and has experience pitching against the AL East.

Boston and Oakland were also recent trade partners in the deal that sent Edward Mujica to the A’s for cash considerations, so it’s clear the teams know how to work together.

Others have suggested different targets for the Boston Red Sox. ESPN writer Jim Bowden said he thinks the Yankees will eventually land Cole Hamels, and the Red Sox will turn to Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto.

“I predict the Red Sox will then respond like we’re used to in the Yankees-Red Sox front-office rivalry and put a strong prospect package together to land Cueto from the Reds (as long as he doesn’t sign an extension in the meantime). The package will not include Betts or Swihart but instead be centered on pitchers Henry Owens and Matt Barnes. The deal won’t happen until after the Reds have hosted the 2015 All Star Game at Great American Ball Park.”

But there are also rumors that the Boston Red Sox aren’t giving up on the Cole Hamels deal just yet. Some sources think both sides may wait it out for a few months and wait until either Boston is willing to pay more or until the Phillies drop the asking price.

[Image via Getty Images/Bob Levey]