With the news breaking late last night of the Cubs landing Jon Lester, the Red Sox are in desparate need of a starter to compliment their offseason offensive additions in Hanley and Sandoval. They have been known to have interest in the Phillies' Cole Hamels for some time now, but according to Ken Rosenthal, they are still not close to acquiring him.
#Red Sox not currently close on #Phillies’ Hamels, sources say. Could trade for Miley and one of five-plus pitchers. Shields also FA option.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2014
Among top current possibilities for #RedSox: #DBacks’ Miley. Reported last night with @jonmorosi that teams are talking. #Marlins in, too.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2014
There you have it. With Lester to the Cubs, it seems less likely they try and work out a deal for Hamels. But could they still be interested? The Red Sox have a few options to explore that may involve sending a package with less prospects than it would cost to land Cole. The Dodgers are still an option, but they haven't really expressed a ton of interest in Hamels just yet. Ruben Amaro hasn't spoken to Hamels in a while, but Ryne Sandberg relayed a conversation between the two during an interview yesterday.
"For the most part, he was on board with the scenario and the situation that he's in," Sandberg said. "Sounded like he was game to be a Philadelphia Phillie, and if something came about that was for the betterment of the organization, then he was in favor of that also." [Philly.com Sports]
More as it develops during day three of the Winter Meetings.
