Another team has reportedly gotten into the Cole Hamels race. So far we have (in no particular order): Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs. The next team to enter the bidding is oddly not a contender.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports:
You can add another team to Cole Hamels derby. The #Dbacks have reached out to #Phillies to express their interest, source says.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 27, 2015
Of course, that does not mean that the Arizona Diamondbacks are on Hamels trade list. In fact, Jayson Stark of ESPN responded that Arizona is not on Hamels' allowed list.
The Diamondbacks have been slashing payroll in a rather controversial manner. First, the Diamondbacks attached injured starter Bronson Arroyo and his $10 million salary to last year's first round draft pick Touki Toussant to clear the money off of their books. Then, the Diamondbacks traded their international slot money to the Phillies, since presumably they did not plan to spend it anyway. Given those developments, adding Hamels and his $24 million annual contract seems rather odd.
After reports that the Texas Rangers thought they might finish second to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Cole Hamels sweepstakes, Jon Heyman of CBS reported today that the Rangers may have the edge in a piece on CBSSports.com:
Texas may have a slight advantage at the moment, but people connected to the Rangers don't seem overly confident they will land the ace left-hander.
The Phillies have focused on catcher Jorge Alfaro and outfielder Nomar Mazara in talks with Texas, and are said to want to receive one or the other back in any Hamels talk. The Dodgers have been steadfast in their refusal to part with top shortstop Corey Seager and top young lefty Julio Urias in any talks, which has been a sticking point in discussions on several ace pitchers.
There was a suggestion within the last couple days the Rangers, too, would draw a line in the sand regarding its top prospects. But it isn't known how willing it is to include Alfaro or Mazara at this point.
If the Rangers are willing to add either Alfaro or Mazara now, the Phillies could try to parlay that into a better deal with the Dodgers.
Here is what Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says the teams are discussing:
Per sources, names in talks have included: C Jorge Alfaro, RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez, OF Nick Williams, RHP Luis Ortiz, OF Lewis Brinson.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2015
#Rangers will not move Mazara in Hamels deal, one source says. Will yield on Alfaro only if #Phillies add more $$$. Want to keep Chi Chi.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2015
With Hamels scheduled to start at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday at 7:05 p.m., the deadline to trade Hamels might be before then, not the Friday non-waiver trade deadline. Perhaps the Phillies did this on purpose so they could have time to work on other deals after dealing their ace. With all the demand and some reports that the Detroit Tigers will not deal David Price as they look to contend this season, Hamels could become more attractive between now and then.
