Los Angeles Dodgers Trade Rumors: Cole Hamels May Be Headed To The Dodgers

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are not only in the running for Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels, but the Dodgers are currently the frontrunner in this competition.

teams hear most linked to hamels continue to be dodgers, followed by rangers

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 21, 2015

Herman added that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the team that he hears linked to Hamels most frequently.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News wrote that that the Texas Rangers “remain very much involved in talks with Philadelphia over ace lefty Cole Hamels.” Grant added that the Rangers could be willing to trade top prospects such as outfielder Nomar Mazara or catcher Jorge Alfaro for Hamels. This may top what the Los Angeles Dodgers are able to give for this transaction.

Heyman noted, the Los Angeles Dodgers would be unlikely to part with shortstop Corey Seager (brother of Mariners 3B Kyle Seager) or lefty Julio Urias, but they could offer other top prospects such as Jose De Leon, Austin Barnes, Zach Lee, Chris Anderson, and Grant Holmes.

De Leon’s stock has been continuing to rise since he joined the Dodgers organization. In fact, ESPN‘s Keith Law and Baseball America ranked Jose among baseball’s Top 25 prospects on their midseason updates.

Hamels does not seem enthused about the idea of going to Houston, who are also in the running, since they are on his 20-team no-trade list, Heyman reported. It also remains unclear what the Astros would be willing to offer in exchange for Hamels. They seem comfortable parting with right-hander Mark Appel more than anyone else, but we don’t know how comfortable that really is. Carlos Correa remains off limits of course.

“A friend of Hamels said Tuesday that he still believes that the lefty isn’t likely to approve the Astros, adding ‘but who knows… if it’s a last resort.’ Hamels is said to be tiring of being on the trading block.”

The Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers seem to be the three teams ahead of every other organization in the running for Hamels. But with the Astros possibly eliminated from discussion, that leaves the Los Angeles Dodgers with a great chance of picking up Hamels before the trade deadline on July 31.

The Dodgers definitely have the ability to absorb Cole Hamels contract with their clear financial wherewithal.

Do you think the Los Angeles Dodgers will make a transaction in order to acquire Cole Hamels? If not, do you think Hamels will be traded at all before the deadline?

[Image Source: Bob Levey/Getty Image]