You might remember the name T.R. Sullivan. Sullivan is the Texas Rangers beat writer for MLB.com, a post he has held for several years. Phillies fans know Sullivan as the reporter who broke the news back in December 2010 that Cliff Lee would be turning down the Texas Rangers' contract offer and rejoining the Phillies as a free agent. Now, Sullivan has some insights into a destination for Cole Hamels.
Sullivan writes that the Rangers are very interested in Hamels, but may not have enough to land him:
Privately, the Rangers are bracing to finish second in the competition. The Rangers are growing comfortable with the idea of paying Hamels $22.5 million annually through at least 2018. But they are still uncomfortable about giving up significant prospects, and the feeling is the Dodgers will be more aggressive in that regard. The Rangers are on the periphery of playoff contention, while the Dodgers are leading the National League West and have a greater urgency to try to win it all this season.
The Dodgers may be extra motivated for another reason, too: Zack Greinke.
Greinke has the ability to opt out of his contract at the end of the season. The Dodgers could use Hamels as a third starter behind Clayton Kershaw and Greinke and have a dream rotation heading into the playoffs. Then, if Greinke walks, the Dodgers would still have Kershaw and Hamels to build their 2016 rotation around.
For what it's worth, the Rangers are keeping Wednesday and Thursday's starters listed as "TBD". The Phillies, meanwhile have announced that Cole Hamels will start at Citizens Bank Park Thursday. But of course, he probably will not. If the Rangers and Dodgers are this far ahead in trade negotiations, I might bet that the odds are better Hamels is traded than he stays.
