Earlier today, Rich Wilkins wrote up a trade candidate profile of Phillies starter Cole Hamels, the first in a series that Rich will write. Rich identified some of the teams that he felt that Hamels could go to in a deal:
The Dodgers could put together the best package, and you'd have to think they blink at some point on taking on salary. The Yankees could afford him, but I don't think they have the players to make the deal work. Toronto and Baltimore might be able to afford him, but it's a tough call for them. The Angels and St. Louis could do this if they want, but that's the big question. I'd watch St. Louis and LA closest, as he makes sense for both, and they might be able to put together the player package we'd want.
However, any of those teams would be a moot point, if they were on Hamels' no-trade list. Hamels' contract includes a provision that he can name 20 teams to which he can refuse a trade.
Today, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports leaked the list of teams to which Hamels can be dealt:
Cole Hamels can be traded to LAD, LAA, STL, WAS, ATL, NYY, BOS, TEX, SD without his permission, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 8, 2014
Notably missing from the list are Toronto and Baltimore, two teams who conceivably use an ace pitcher the most. The Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals were the two that Rich said to "watch closest", and they are fair game for a trade.
Whether the Phillies wish to trade Hamels or not remains to be seen. Hamels is one player that the Phillies could trade and pick up multiple pieces for the future. As we have seen with the Phillies ownership thus far, personal emotional attachment seems to be what is driving the Phillies' bus. They simply may not wish to trade their World Series MVP. They also may feel he will be around still when the next core comes together. Time will tell.
