Wikipedia Commons
The Cole Hamels to Boston rumors will not end. The Boston Red Sox have been the most active team this offseason, adding two of the top free agents in shortstop Hanley Ramirez and with third baseman Pablo Sandoval. With both on board, the Red Sox are now focused on getting the necessary pitching to make a run.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the Phillies and Red Sox are talking again, now that the Red Sox have secured two top talents:
Now that the #RedSox have deals with Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, as @JonHeymanCBS reported, they will again turn to trade market.,
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 24, 2014
The #RedSox, who also have an offer for Jon Lester, also have had the most serious talks with the #Phillies for Cole Hamels.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 24, 2014
It will be interesting to see if the #RedSox now part with OF Mookie Betts or C Blake Swihart in package deal to the #Phillies for Hamels.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 24, 2014
For the Phillies to make a deal, they would indeed need either Betts or Swihart.
The Red Sox are going for it, and while some baseball columnists joke about the lack of pitching in Boston, the Red Sox seem intent on acquiring two pitchers. Jon Lester could be one, and Cole Hamels the other. With little chatter about the Phillies and Cubs working on a deal, the Red Sox may be the clear frontrunners for Hamels.
