Cole Hamels Trade Rumors: Kansas City Royals, LA Dodgers Top Candidates For Hamels Now?
Cole Hamels’ trade rumors are understandably still a hot topic. The most recent rumors about Hamels link him to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals. Both teams need to add a starting pitcher before the MLB trade deadline, and the Philadelphia Phillies could use assets from both clubs. A report from CBS Sports on Wednesday (July 22) states that the “Royals trading for Cole Hamels makes a lot of sense.”
The Royals certainly need some more starting pitching after losing Jason Vargas to a torn UCL in his throwing elbow. This likely means he will miss more than a year away from MLB. The backup option is Yordano Ventura, who was supposed to be working on his control in the minor leagues, but who got called up less than 24 hours after his demotion to take the spot Vargas vactes. He hasn’t proven capable in the 2015 MLB season, which is why the Royals need to add more pitching.
Another report from CBS Sports states that one of the two main “pitchers of interest” for the LA Dodgers is Cole Hamels. The team has also been looking hard at Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds, but the front office in Los Angeles wants to add a long-term option. The team fears it is going to lose Zack Greinke in free agency, which could leave the need in need of another starting pitcher. Cueto and David Price could be options as free agents during the MLB offseason, but Hamels is under team control for a while longer.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Hamels is making $23.5 million a season from 2015-2018. In the 2019 MLB season, he has a $20 million team option that becomes vested at $24 million if he pitches 400 innings over the 2017 and 2018 MLB seasons. He is certainly going to be a long-term investment for any team that acquires him, which is why it has taken so long for the Philadelphia Phillies to make a deal. The Phillies aren’t short on suitors, though, as in addition to the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds, the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros have also come up in rumors.
As for who the Royals might give up, it seems that shortstop Raul A. Mondesi and third baseman Hunter Dozier might not be going anywhere. That still leaves pitchers Brandon Finnegan, Sean Manaea, and Kyle Zimmer as possible prizes for the Phillies. Each of those guys ranks in the top five for prospects the Royals have. Expect the Royals to be mentioned in all Cole Hamels trade rumors now, as the team was unable to replace James Shields and now has lost Jason Vargas. But what will the front office in Kansas City be willing to trade?
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