The Boston Red Sox could have had Cole Hamels. Instead, they decided that they would go with a starting rotation that included Clay Buchholz, Wade Miley, Joe Kelly, Justin Masterson, and Rick Porcello. Within a month, it was pretty clear that the Red Sox starting rotation was a disaster. And so is the rest of the team, as they sit 13 games under .500 and in last place. Only then did the Red Sox decide that maybe Cole Hamels was a good idea after all.
But, it appears that Hamels is not interested in joining this mess. Rob Bradford of WEEI writes:
According to one major league source, Hamels’ no-trade clause — that prevents the Phillies from dealing the 31-year-old to a list teams, one of them being theRed Sox — continues to be roadblock when it comes to the Sox acquiring the lefty. It seemingly has been an issue throughout the team’s pursuit of Hamels.
With so many issues with the Red Sox, it is understandable if Hamels does not want to go to a last place team.
Interestingly, the Red Sox wanted Hamels so they could rebuild. That is quite the opposite of the Phillies current situation, trying to get back pieces for their team to rebuild. But the Red Sox went all-in except without pitching this season, minus the $20 million a year extension they gave to Rick Porcello (5-10, 5.51. ERA). The $22.5 million Hamels is due for three years looks light years better than Porcello's deal.
As Casey Stern of MLB Network Radio recently said, "Prospects are cool; parades are cooler". The Red Sox chose the former. And now Cole Hamels does not want to go there.
