With the trade deadline under four weeks away, the season for trade rumors is running rampant. The Phillies have been linked to some big names, including shortstop Manny Machado and third basemen Mike Moustakas and Adrian Beltre. But one name might be extra special for Phillies fans if a trade comes to fruition.
According to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, the Phillies might be interested in a Cole Hamels reunion:
Yankees are a main player for ja happ, perhaps the main player at this point. He’s at/near top of their list. #jays
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 3, 2018
One team that is NOT on Hamels' trade list is the New York Yankees. Heyman notes that they are interested in former Phillies starter J.A. Happ. One team that is NOT on Hamels' trade list is the New York Yankees. Heyman notes that they are interested in former Phillies starter J.A. Happ.
Hamels is not the pitcher he once was. In fact, Hamels leads the league in home runs allowed, something that might not match well with Philadelphia. But Hamels returning to the Phillies might be a boost that transcends more than the numbers.
With a fan base still not totally on board with this exciting young Phillies team, Hamels has the potential to have the city rally around the young players. The leadership that Hamels could bring to the young club would compliment that of the likes of Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana nicely.
Hamels has a contract option for 2019 worth $20 million. Presumably, if the Phillies traded for Hamels, they would count on having Hamels in their starting rotation in 2019, too. There may not be a better left-handed option available to them. While Hamels is up there in age (now 34 years old), the commitment is long enough that he is worth acquiring but not restrictively so.
The fans surely would love to have their World Series MVP in a Phillies uniform during the World Championship team reunion on August 4. The only other players active in the major leagues from that club are Happ, second baseman Chase Utley and reliever Ryan Madson.
