PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Red Sox, the Cubs, the Rangers, the Blue Jays, the Dodgers, and now the Astros are rumored to be after the Phillies’ left-handed ace Cole Hamels.
The ascending Astros, 34-21, surprisingly find themselves a top the American League West (5.5 games ahead of the Angels) and suddenly they are looking to add a top-of-the-rotation arm.
“Executives familiar with their thinking suggest Hamels remains on their radar, with Astros great Nolan Ryan said to be a big fan of his,” reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Heyman admits while the Astros might be reluctant to take on Hamels’ $24 million yearly salary, the Phillies–with an incoming new mega-TV deal—could eat some of that.