The New York Yankees always are lurking.
They reportedly were out of the hunt for Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels earlier this season, but according to a Newsday report, they can’t yet be ruled out.
David Lennon, citing a source, wrote that “despite the significant cost and commitment, the Yankees aren’t ruling out a run at Hamels,” who actually will pitch against them Wednesday in New York.
Lennon did add, however, that “nothing has heated up yet on the Hamels front between the two teams.” That could change quickly, if you consider that in March, a Phillies source told The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo that the Yankees’ reported offering was the best the Phillies had received to that point. Also, FOXSports.com reported Tuesday that the Phillies and Texas Rangers have had an “ongoing dialogue” about Hamels.
The Yankees were said to be “not looking” at Hamels when Masahiro Tanaka went down with an injury in March, according to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman. A reason for the apparent change in thinking might center around the Yankees’ recent pitching woes. CC Sabathia was shelled Tuesday night by the lowly Phillies, who have plated 11 runs in their last two games against New York, propelling them out of last place among all major league clubs in runs scored.
Even before Sabathia’s meltdown, the Yankees entered the game ranked 12th in American League starters’ ERA.
Thumbnail photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
