There have been more Cole Hamels trade rumors than actual trades since this winter, as the coveted Philadelphia Phillies ace has seemingly been linked to the entirety of Major League Baseball as a potential target. We're here to help you sift through the noise with our list of 5 teams that might trade for Cole Hamels.
5. Chicago Cubs
The Cubbies sure have a wealth of top-tier prospects to part with for a guy like Hamels, but the hostage-like trade demands of Phillies GM Ruben Amaro could put a significant dent in both their farm system depth and current big-league roster construction. A Hamels/Lester top two would be MLB: The Show-level insane, but the Cubs remain on the periphery of the Hamels chase due to a potentially prohibitive cost.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
Here's the dark horse of this list. The Pittsburgh Pirates are in need of a jolt to pull them out of a frustratingly inconsistent early season, and this may be the splash which breathes life into their potential ascent up the NL Central ladder. This team is too talented and too built for postseason success not to make a move of this caliber (if possible). The cost could be a deterrent, but then again maybe not.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards lost ace Adam Wainwright for the season to a torn left Achilles tendon, so their desire and perhaps need for a frontline starter pushes them up this list. St. Louis isn't normally the organization to sacrifice future worth for present-day production, but landing Hamels for three years plus an option year at a $87.5 million premium that's close to what Rick Porcello got from the Red Sox (!) may be too enticing to say no.
2. San Francisco Giants
The defending World Series champs raised a few eyebrows with a splashless offseason this past winter, but they've been a legit, slightly under the radar threat for Hamels for some time yet. Pairing Hamels with Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain when he returns after the All-Star break could push the Giants from NL challenger to World Series repeat status.
1. Boston Red Sox
They've got deep pockets and a starting rotation full of #2-#4 ceiling starters. They're need an ace both for stability at the top and for keeping up appearances with a demanding yet loyal fan base. Boston has tried to pull off a Hamels deal before and we're not convinced that they've given up on him just yet. If any team will meet Amaro in the middle, it's the Red Sox.
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