Acquiring a frontline starting pitcher to lead their rotation is a clear priority for the Boston Red Sox this offseason, but don’t hold your breath on that arm being Cole Hamels. While there have been no indications that the sides have stopped talking, a report Sunday morning suggests that the Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies are not making much progress towards reaching a deal involving the left-hander.
According to @nickcafardo the Red Sox have already turned down multiple trade proposals by the Phillies for Cole Hamels.
— Mut at Night (@MutAtNightWEEI) November 16, 2014
Philadelphia has been aggressively trying to move Hamels, who will turn 31 in late December, but are believed to be looking for a significant return – reportedly at least three prospects, two of whom would need to be MLB-ready. Hamels has four years, $90 million remaining on his contract. A fifth year team option, that would bring the total value up to $110 million, is also in play. A no trade provision placed in his contract – which allows Hamels to list up to 20 teams that he can veto a deal to – has given him the leverage to demand that the option be exercised for him to approve a deal.
At five years, $110 million there are some clubs that will view Hamels as a more logical target to pursue than simply going after free agent starters Max Scherzer and Jon Lester.
Boston, however, seems to highly prefer a reunion with Lester despite (GM Ben Cherington has already met with Lester’s agents twice in the past week and the team’s ownership is expected to do so in the coming days.) being linked as a favorite for Hamels early on given the depth of their farm system. The Phillies are known to have interest in Boston’s minor league system, having scouted them extensively late this past season.
There have been no indications regarding what the Phillies may have asked Boston for in return for Hamels, though it seems likely that names such as Mookie Betts, Blake Swihart, and Henry Owens (among others) have been brought up.