The Houston Astros made a banner trade on Thursday, acquiring underrated veteran lefty Scott Kazmir from the Oakland A's. Regardless of that move, it appears the Astros have yet another impact arm on their wishlist before the 2015 MLB Trade Deadline.
"A source told the Chronicle the Astros are among three or four teams the Phillies are considering as trade partners in deals involving Hamels," Brandon Schlager of the Sporting News writes. "Houston also has had preliminary discussions with the Padres about starters Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross."
Schlager adds that the Astros are reportedly "serious" about a Hamels blockbuster.
Kazmir may very well be a short-term rental for the Astros in the final season of a two-year, $22 million deal. Therefore, we wouldn't write off the Astros just yet for Hamels, considering he has three years of team control left on his deal at a combined $67.5 million plus a $20 million options (with a $6 million buyout) for 2019.
Adding Hamels to the long-term mix with Dallas Keuchel would be a more-than-formidable one-two punch at the front of the rotation for the Astros as their litany of blue chip prospects continue to grow and fill in the gaps elsewhere.
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