The Philadelphia Phillies have softened their stance on trading starting pitcher Cole Hamels, but it will cost a team looking to add the 2008 World Series MVP a hefty price.
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It was reported last week that the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees were both interested in acquiring the left-hander, but the Phillies weren't interested in dealing him. Now, it seems as though the team brass has changed their perspective if the team can find a trade partner that is willing to part ways with its top prospects.
The Boston Globe reports that the Phillies consider Hamels to be their greatest trade chip and don't want to just give the three-time All-Star away for nothing.
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According to the report, it would take up to three top prospects for the Phillies to pull the trigger on a deal and the other team would have to take on his entire contract. Hamels is in the second season of a six-year, $144 million contract.
Hamels, who is 4-5 this season with a 2.83 ERA, does have a partial no-trade clause, but he reportedly wouldn't mind being dealt from the struggling Philadelphia franchise.
The Red Sox have been scouting Hamels while the Phillies have kept an eye on the Red Sox' farm system, according to The Boston Globe. The Red Sox (47-52) are in fourth place in the AL East, so it may be doubtful that they'll pull the trigger on a deal this season but anything remains possible.
Philadelphia could be looking to unload a lot of their veterans by the July 31 MLB non-waiver trade deadline as the team looks to get younger. The Phillies will almost certainly be sellers as the team sits at 43-56 and in last place in the National League East.
NJ.com reports that other teams that may be involved aside from the Red Sox and Yankees -- whose general manager made a statement about looking for pitching at the deadline -- are the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Hamels, 30, was drafted by the Phillies 17th overall in the first round of the 2002 amateur draft and has played for Philadelphia for the last nine seasons, posting a 103-79 record with a 3.34 career ERA and 1,624 strikeouts.
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