Could Cole Hamels shift from the National League East to the American League East? There is some speculation that the Philadelphia Phillies left-hander is gaining interest from the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox which could potentially see him switch leagues before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
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According to multiple sources, the Phillies may move Hamels this year as they sit at 42-53 and in last place in the NL East at the All-Star break. The Red Sox and Yankees are reportedly two teams that are interested in acquiring the south paw's services as they each look to gain the upper-hand in a competitive AL East in the second half.
The Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox were one of several teams that scouted Hamels this past week and could make a play for the lefty, who has four more years on his deal.
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Coming off of a World Series title in 2013, the Red Sox (43-52) are meandering in last place in the AL East, 9.5 games behind the first place Baltimore Orioles (52-42).
The Red Sox could be looking to bolster their rotation in an attempt to get back in the division in the second half.
Fox Sports reports that the Yankees are also possibly getting in the hunt for Hamels as their rotation has dealt with a lot of injuries, most notably to CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka, who may require Tommy John surgery.
New York may be looking to bring in a healthy arm to the rotation to give it a boost as the team makes a playoff push in the second half.
The Yankees are in a better position than the Red Sox as the Bronx Bombers entered the All-Star break with a 47-47 mark and are five games behind Baltimore.
Hamels is 3-5 with a 2.93 ERA and 106 strikeouts for the struggling Phillies this season, but the Yankees may not have the parts in their farm system to pull off a swap with Philadelphia.
There have been multiple reports that Hamels has a list of nine teams that the Phillies can trade him to without his consent, and the Red Sox and Yankees are on the list. Whether or not Philadelphia pulls off a move in the next two weeks remains to be seen.
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, winning the World Series with them in 2008 and earning the NLCS and World Series MVP honors that year while he is also a three-time MLB All-Star.
Hamels is 102-79 in his career with a .3.35 ERA and 1,615 strikeouts.
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