The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo suggested this week that the Boston Red Sox could consider pursuing Hamels as a potential replacement for free agent-to-be Jon Lester. However, WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford reported Friday that the Philadelphia Phillies have shown no inclination to trade Hamels.
Hamels is owed $90 million over the next four years, with a team option for 2019 worth $20 million. According to Cafardo, the Red Sox have been scouting Hamels because it’s exactly the type of contract they want for a No. 1 starter and a play for the Phillies ace could improve their leverage in negotiations with Lester. The Phillies reportedly have been scouting the Red Sox heavily all season and recently began to scout Boston’s farm system, too.
This doesn’t exactly mean the Red Sox are looking to land Hamels, though Cafardo’s report has created some interesting trade deadline chatter. Bradford says it’s believed the Red Sox checked on Hamels’ availability earlier this season but that there haven’t been any recent discussions between Boston and Philadelphia regarding the left-handed hurler.
Hamels is 3-5 with a 2.93 ERA through 16 starts this season. The three-time All-Star likely would net the Phillies a good haul, but any trade rumor including the 30-year-old should be taken with a grain of salt at this point, particularly when the rumors involve the Red Sox, who have made clear their desire to re-sign Lester.
CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Phillies’ preference is to trade Cliff Lee over Hamels.
