Most thought that the starting pitcher market would begin to get moving soon as Jon Lester signed. It has been a full calendar month and a day since Lester and the Cubs came to an agreement. Yet, Cole Hamels is still a member of the Phillies and the two other big name starting pitchers, James Shields and Max Scherzer, are still free agents with no sign of any deal brewing.
The Red Sox and the Phillies appear to quiet, but the Phillies seem to be getting some interest from the West Coast, Nick Cafardo says in this Sunday Baseball Notes:
There have been no talks this month between the Phillies and Red Sox, according to a major league source. The Red Sox will not part with Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart. The Phillies would need to get one of the two for Hamels to make a deal they feel comfortable with, and the Red Sox haven’t budged. Meanwhile, the Phillies are getting sniffs from the West Coast on Hamels.
So who may be "sniffing" Hamels? Here are a few teams that may be interested.
San Diego Padres:
Cole Hamels' hometown team would be interested in Hamels' services for sure. The super-aggressive A.J. Preller could start printing playoff tickets if Hamels came into the Padres' rotation. There were some rumblings that the Padres could move starter Ian Kennedy. If they do so and get some pieces in return, they may be able to do what it takes to get Hamels. While some earlier reports seemed to suggest Wil Myers could come to Philly in a trade, that seems unlikely.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The big piece that the Angels could include in a trade with the Phillies is Andrew Heaney, starting pitcher prospect that the Marlins sent to the Dodgers for Dee Gordon, and was flipped to the Angels for Howie Kendrick. If the Angels included outfielder Kole Calhoun, they may have the makings of a deal for Hamels.
Los Angeles Dodgers
No, no, no. That is what the Dodgers have been telling teams about outfield prospect Joc Pederson, shortstop Corey Seager, and pitcher Julio Urias, the Dodgers' top three prospects. If the Dodgers decided to make a move for Hamels, one of them may have to go. Alex Guerrero, a second base prospect out of Cuba could also interest the Phillies. If the Dodgers are willing to move one of the three, they are likely to have a deal. Pederson is probably not the one, since he should be starting for the Dodgers in center field next year.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants publicly bowed out of the running for both James Shields and Max Scherzer, due to their high asking prices. That could be posturing. The Giants would love to have Hamels, but the resources the Giants have to move are scarce. With Matt Cain no longer the pitcher he was and Tim Lincecum pretty much done, the Giants sure could use a solid number two pitcher to slot behind Madison Bumgarner.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have moved further and further toward a playoff spot this offseason. While the Athletics and Angels appear to have taken steps back, the Mariners added right-handed power in the form of Nelson Cruz. Hamels paired with Felix Hernandez could go a long way for the Mariners. The Mariners have two young pitchers in James Paxon and Taijuan Walker. If the Mariners are willing to move either, the teams could have the makings of a deal.
