While the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers have renewed problems regarding their starting rotation, it appears as if the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox remain the top clubs to acquire Cole Hamels at this point.
The Yankees are the surprise story here. The top teams in the running for Hamels this offseason have been the Red Sox, Cardinals, Rangers and Padres, with the Red Sox having had discussions with the Philadelphia Philles since last July. But New York has starting rotation issues of their own and could be looking to make a big move.
"According to one Phillies source, the Yankees have come the closest to landing [Cole] Hamels, offering a package of prospects that at least has given the Phillies a baseline for future talks," writes Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe.
It's been known the Phillies want three top prospects in return for Hamels and the Yankees have some up-and-coming talented youngsters such as Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, Gary Sanchez and Ian Clarkin in their farm system. It's unknown who the Yankees offered, but many would assume they're not willing to part ways with Severino because he's their top prospect and could hit the majors when teams expand to the 40-man roster in September. Additionally, general manager Brian Cashman has committed the offseason to making the organization younger, so perhaps their involvement could be to drive up the price for the Red Sox.
Meanwhile, the Phillies have had Charley Kerfeld - general manager Ruben Amaro's special assistant - scouting Red Sox players throughout spring training thus far and as recently as this past Friday, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. On top of that, right-hander Rick Porcello told Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal that he has had no contract extension talks with Boston this spring and doesn't expect to engage in such discussions.
The Red Sox are lacking an ace atop their rotation and may have Porcello as well as Clay Buchholz hit free agency after the upcoming season. Porcello's recent comments suggest he's probably going to explore the market, which further creates a need for Hamels, who is owed $23.5 million in each of the next four seasons to go along with a $20 million team option or $24 million vesting option for 2019.
However, the Red Sox have been reportedly unwilling to surrender prospects Blake Swihart or Mookie Betts in a potential deal, which is what Amaro wants from them.
But now the Cardinals and Rangers may emerge as even likelier destinations for Hamels since St. Louis is dealing with injuries to Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha and Lance Lynn and Texas may lose Yu Darvish for the season if he opts for Tommy John surgery.
We'd like to think all four of these clubs were among the 24 scouts watching Hamels' first spring start last week, so look for talks to heat up in the coming weeks.
