Free agent pitcher James Shields finally agreed to a deal today, according to ESPN, after a long offseason. The signing will be the largest deal in the San Diego Padres' history. The deal seemingly sets up San Diego for their best shot at a playoff run since 2006, the last time the Padres made the playoffs. The Padres have not advanced past the Division Series since 1998, when they represented the National League in the World Series.
The reality is that the Phillies and Padres probably were never a trade match for Cole Hamels. While the teams briefly had discussions that were centered around their newly-acquired outfielder Wil Myers, the Phillies probably not find what they want in the Padres organization.
The Padres have four of MLB.com's top 100 prospects. The Padres rebuilt their team thus far without sacrificing one of their top three prospects. Their top prospect, catcher Austin Hedges, ranks # 22 of MLB.com's list. Hedges still projects as a nice player, but some do not consider him the cannot-miss type that a team should get back for Hamels.
The Phillies could use a cannot-miss catcher in return, and the Boston Red Sox have one. However, the Red Sox will not include Swihart in any deal:
The #Phillies want prized catching prospect Blake Swihart from #Redsox in deal for Hamels. The Red Sox continue to refuse. #stalemate
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 3, 2015
For the Phillies to make a deal with the Red Sox, they would need a prospect such as Swihart.
After spending hundreds of millions of dollars this offseason on third baseman Pablo Sandoval, left-fielder Hanley Ramirez, and good-but-not-an-ace pitcher Wade Miley, the Red Sox so far seem unwilling to go the final step toward the playoffs by acquiring Hamels. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote back in December, "Without an ace, the Red Sox can still compete. With an ace, the Red Sox become an elite team, at least on paper. Simple as that."
The Red Sox have one option to get an ace right now, and that is Cole Hamels. With the current options being for the Red Sox to win the World Series or be a nice team who falls short, the obsession to keeping Swihart is irrational. If the goal is to win a World Series and it never comes, will having Swihart be a consolation for Red Sox fans?
Camp opens in 10 days. The Red Sox have a choice: Swihart or winning. If they come to their senses, Hamels will be a Red Sox. If they do not, Hamels will be with the Phillies when they break camp.
