A rival general manager recently told CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman that Boston “isn’t blinking” in its trade talks with Philadelphia for left-hander Cole Hamels. Heyman suggests, however, the Red Sox still are the favorite to land Hamels because of their prospect depth and their need for a front-line starter.
According to Heyman, the Phillies haven’t come off their asking price of a package centered on either Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart. The Red Sox obviously have refused to relinquish either player to this point, so the teams might need to get creative if they’re ever going to execute a trade involving Hamels.