Cole Hamels has the ability to block trades to most teams. When agreeing to the deal, the Phillies probably figured Hamels would not want to be traded to someone who is not a contender. But one team currently in first place in the American League is not someplace that Hamels is willing to go.
According to a source close to the situation, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels would block any possible trade to the Houston Astros if the teams were to strike a deal before the trade deadline.
However the source tells KHOU 11 Sports that Hamels is open to accepting a trade to either the Texas Rangers or New York Yankees.
Houston is not that far from Dallas-Fort Worth area, so what gives?
Houston is currently 11 games over the .500 mark, with a 3.5 game lead in the American League West. The team right behind him? The Texas Rangers, whom Hamels is willing to go to. While Houston has some promising prospects, including Mark Appel, and former Phillies prospects Domingo Santana and Jonathan Singleton, the Rangers have catcher Jorge Alfaro, ranked number two on MLB.com. Alfaro could be number one at the moment, since third baseman Joey Gallo is currently on the Rangers' roster.
The Yankees have two prospects that certainly would interest the Phillies: outfielder Aaron Judge and pitcher Luis Severino. Both may have "untouchable?" status with the Yankees, but the Yankees' close proximity to first place could drive the team to make a deal.
