RADIO
The Philadelphia Phillies want the “best” offers from any team that wants Cole Hammels by Wednesday, according to ESPN.com, which means the pitching ace could be gone very soon.
There won't be a better time to land Hamels, because he's coming off his first career no-hitter on Saturday when he shut down the Chicago Cubs. The left-hander is now 6-7 on the season with a 3.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 137/39 K/BB ratio through 128 2/3 innings. He’s made three All-Star teams throughout his 10-year career with a career average .330 ERA.
Hamels, 31, is owed $67,500,000 over the next four years. The left-hander won’t be borrowed wherever he goes, which is why it will take a lot to trade him out of Philly. Below are some of the teams that have been rumored to be targeted Hamels:
Astros: Houston has sprung ahead of the other teams in the race for Hamels, according to ESPN.com. The Astros already acquired Scott Kazmir from the Oakland A’s. If they could land Hamels, the team will have one of the best starting rotations in MLB.
Dodgers: Los Angeles is always ready and willing to go after any player. Hamels would make the trio of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke as the deadliest combination in the National League.
Rangers: Texas is out on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Pitching hasn’t been a problem but Hamels would give the team a true ace since Yu Darvish is out for the year with Tommy John surgery. The Rangers would very well be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot with Hamels on the roster.
Cubs: Chicago wants to end a curse that dates back to its last World Series win in 1908. There’s young talent all around the Cubs roster but a veteran left-hander like Hamels could get the team over the hump and into the postseason.
Giants: San Francisco is only a half a game behind the Dodgers for first place in the NL West. The defending World Series champions want to repeat and Hamels could make that happen.
Diamondbacks: Arizona is 6 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot with one of the better offenses in the NL. Hamels would give them a great starter every fifth day.
Yankees: New York could use a lefty starter to dominant games at home since there’s a small porch in right field. It would take the lefties out of opposing lineups at home.
Red Sox: Boston seems to make moves at every trade deadline and this move could be to make the 2016 season a good one.
