The Hamels Market

With a record 22-39, the Philadelphia Phillies could be ready to throw in the towel on the 2015 Major League Baseball season real soon. The Phillies are in last place in the National League East and they are 10 games behind the first place Washington Nationals. For the past three years I’ve felt that the Phillies should be sellers as they are nowhere near being a contender. As a result of Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., holding onto aging players, he has let opportunities go by where he could have received value in return if he would have been willing to part with the likes of second baseman Chase Utley or first baseman Ryan Howard sooner rather than later. But one player that still has tremendous value for the Phillies if they were willing to part with him would be starting pitcher Cole Hamels.

Hamels is 5-5 this season with an earned run average on 3.19. And for Hamels’ career, he is 113-88 with an earned run average of 3.27. In six of the last seven seasons, Hamels has pitched at least 200 innings while striking out 200 batters in a season three times over that stretch. Hamels is 31-years old and he is under contract with the Phillies until 2019 as they owe him $90.5 million after this season. Hamels is also a left-handed pitcher which gives him even more value on the trade market.

In the past Amaro has listened to offers for Hamels, but nothing close to making him sign off on a deal. However with the Phillies appearing to be out of contention this early in the season, Amaro should think about listening to offers for Hamels’ services as teams will come calling.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are the hottest MLB team right now as they’ve won their last eight games to get above the .500 mark and keep pace with the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Blue Jays have one of the better offenses in baseball, but they lack an ace at the top of their rotation to make them serious contenders. Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos doesn’t have the prospects in his minor-league system that Amaro wants and needs, but he would more than likely be willing to take a good chunk of Hamels’ remaining salary off of the Phillies hands as Toronto is desperate to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Detroit Tigers

Last year the Detroit Tigers traded for starting pitcher David Price to be a buffer just in case they were unable to re-sign starting pitcher Max Scherzer. And when the Tigers did lose Scherzer in free agency to the Nationals, the loss wasn’t as bad as it could have been due to the fact that they still had Price. This year Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski has to prepare for the fact that Price could leave Detroit after this season as a free agent, and they will need to stabilize their starting rotation if they are going to remain contenders in the AL. Like the Blue Jays, the Tigers might not have the prospects that Amaro is looking for, but they’d more than likely take on a good portion of Hamels’ remaining contract in order to obtain his services.

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels won 98 games last season, but that couldn’t prevent them from being swept in the American League Divisional Series by the Kansas City Royals. The bats of the Angels were quiet against the Royals, but they were still missing another quality starter in their rotation. Garrett Richards has returned to the Angels starting rotation this season to team with Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson, but you can never have enough arms. The Angels are currently 29-30, but they are only four games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West and the acquisition of Hamels could be just what the doctor ordered for the Halos.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Like their crosstown rivals in the Angels, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in need of another starting pitcher. The Dodgers have the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner and MVP in starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw at the top of their starting rotation along with starting pitcher Zack Greinke, but they lack depth after the season-ending injury to starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu. The Dodgers have been long rumored to be a landing spot for Hamels as they have two things that the Phillies want and need which are prospects along with the ability to take on most of his remaining salary. And if Amaro wants to talk turkey, I am sure that the Dodgers would listen.

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres have hovered around the .500 mark all season long, but the additional wild card spot has given them hope that they can make the postseason in 2015. And new Padres general manager A.J. Preller has shown no fear when it comes to making moves in order to turn San Diego into a contending team in the National League. Hamels is a native of San Diego and you can never rule out a return to the 6-1-9 for him.

There are teams around the want and need Hamels in their starting rotation. And instead of Amaro holding onto Hamels like he is his last gold coin, it is time cash him in and get the prospects that he is seeking while getting his salary off of the books in Philadelphia. The Phillies don’t have the look of a team that will be contending anytime soon and if they are going to be a bad team, they might as well be an inexpensive bad team that is full of youngsters that can help them build towards the future.

Source: Baseball-almanac.com