Although pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training next month for most teams, there are still plenty of hot stove rumors surrounding some elite starting pitchers. Max Scherzer and James Shields are still available in free agency, and a number of teams have expressed interest in trading for Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels.
Hamels To St. Louis Still Possible?
Several teams, including the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals have been rumored to be in talks with the Phillies about Hamels, but it is uncertain whether either team will be able to land him. The Red Sox have indicated that they will not part with Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart, making a deal unlikely. The Cardinals may besimilarly reluctant to trade away their best prospects.
As for what the pitcher himself wants, he may be interested in heading to the west coast. Former Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this offseason, and he claims that Hamels would be interested in a similar move.
Red Sox Missing Out On Every Pitcher They Chase
According to Bleacher Report, Rollins gave a recent interview where he expressed his opinion on Hamels moving to L.A. "He did talk about how lovely it would be if we both ended up in L.A," Rollins said. "That would be one heck of a move right there."
Los Angeles is obviously in win-now mode, and they have no regard for payroll limitations, so adding Hamels would seem like a good fit for both parties on the surface. However, given Philadelphia's asking price for other teams in Hamels talks, it is uncertain whether the Dodgers could offer enough of a return to make the Phillies willing to part with their star pitcher.
New teams are rumored to be in the running for Hamels pretty much every week, so who knows where he will actually wind up. He has said that there are several teams that he would waive his no-trade clause for, so it does seem less likely that Hamels will finish the year in Philadelphia because a contending team will surely be willing to make a deal at some point.
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