Are the Philadelphia Phillies going to trade Cole Hamels ? For that matter, will the Phillies trade Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay or Ryan Howard? It is early July and it is officially MLB trade rumors season over the next few weeks you can expect many more rumors to the surface.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team remains optimistic that it can sign Hamels to a contract extension and denied that he is shopping the All-Star left-hander. While Amaro Jr said that he is not making calls to trade Hamels , you can be sure there are multiple teams calling him to gauge the interest in a trade.
The Phillies are 11 games out of first place, their worst record through 81 games since 1997. Trading Hamels would relieve the Phillies of a huge financial burden, as he will command a very high-end contract if he enters the free-agent market. Hamels is just 28 years old and entering the prime of his career.
Starting pitching is always a premium product at the deadline, and this year is no exception. There are plenty of buyers in this market. Clearly, he is the best available starter in this trade season. Other starters include, Matt Garza of the Chicago Cubs, Francisco Liriano of the Minnesota Twins, Ryan Dempster, Cubs, Zack Greinke, Brewers, Edinson Volquez, Padres, Wandy Rodriguez, Astros, Jeremy Guthrie, Rockies and perhaps Shaun Marcum, Brewers.
As you can see there is a drop off after Hamels. after losing to front-line starters the New York Yankees will be looking for help. Hamels not only would replace Andy Pettitte in the rotation, the Yankees have the resources to perhaps keep Hamels long-term. It could be a very busy trade season for starting pitching this year.
