Cole Hamels is probably going to get traded, and it's probably going to be to the Boston Red Sox. Hamels reportedly wants to be dealt. The Phillies need a return on him, and to clear his money. Boston is being reported as a good fit for both. In fact, reports say the Phillies are actively making offers to Boston, which Boston is turning down.
The Phillies must be out of their minds. In the last decade, with all the big trades Boston has made, I think one or two prospects have actually turned out alright. If I had to bet on anyone in their system panning out, it would be Mookie Betts, and I'm not a believer in him. So what would change now? I don't think much would. I'm not sure what to make of Xander Boagerts either, who disappointed in 2014. I know this though- I'm not high at all on anyone else in their system, and certainly not high enough on them to trade them a legitimate number one starter.
I'm sure that Blake Swihart is a nice guy and all, but if he's so good, why isn't Boston shopping Christian Vazquez, especially since Swihart hit AAA. As for Joe Kelly, the jury is still out on him, but he's certainly not a chip you'd focus on here.
As for everything else they have in their minors? They have some nice lefty arms that would make a nice third or fourth piece in this deal, but not anything better than that.
Trading with the Red Sox is an invitation to get robbed. I suppose if we could both get Cespedes and sign an extension with him, it might be worth considering, but even then, i'm a skeptic. I'd consider a deal with Cespedes, Betts, and one or two others from this list, if we could do the extension. Past that, walk away and go talk to St. Louis and Chicago, who have actual prospects, or to a team who will take Howard and some of his money with Hamels, because this is a waste of time.
