Cole Hamels on the Block: Potential Trade Partners

It is no secret, the Philadelphia Phillies are rebuilding. The trades of aging veterans Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd signal a definite change in direction. In addition, rumors have swirled all off-season about possible trades involving fellow long-time Phillies, Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels, with the latter likely to be the most desirable trade target for teams. Being sought after though, also brings with it an asking price, and according to the Sporting News, the Phillies are interested in receiving a catching prospect in return for their ace.

A couple young backstops in particular have caught the eyes of Ruben Amaro Jr. and company: the Red Sox’s Blake Swihart, and the Padres’ Austin Hedges. However, with only the glove-first Christian Vazquez, and veteran back-up Ryan Hanigan in his way, it is unlikely Boston has much interest in dealing away their top prospect. Plus, the Red Sox seem to have completed their rotation shopping for the year with the additions of Rick Porcello and Wade Miley.

More from MLB Prospects

The other reported prospect of interest, Austin Hedges, belongs to the busiest team this offseason, and they have shown a willingness to trade away their future in order to compete now, acquiring Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Derek Norris to name a few. The acquisition of Norris, a cost-controlled, capable catcher who is under team control for a few more years, added with the Padres’ willingness to take on salary while trading prospects seems to have opened a door to trade away their top prospect in order to acquire a front of the rotation arm. Even in all of their dealings this off-season, San Diego has amazingly been able to hold onto their top prospect, maybe with the intention to acquire an ace, or maybe because they don’t want to let him go.

However, there are a couple other possible destinations for the 31-year old left-hander that have what the Phillies are looking for, and may be interested in a deal, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the New York Yankees.

New York has the most catching talent in their farm system and on their 40-man roster out of these two possibilities. At the big league level, they have made the commitment to Brian McCann through the 2018 season and have Austin Romine as their projected backup. In addition, they have J.R. Murphy and their #3 prospect, Gary Sanchez waiting in the wings. Further away from the big leagues they have Luis Torrens (also a top ten organizational prospect). But, even with organizational depth, and question marks surrounding their 2015 rotation, the Yankees have resisted the urge to go after aging pitchers and commit to them long term (Hamels is still owed $101 million through 2019) as evidenced by their non-pursuits of Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields.

A more likely option would be a deal with Toronto. The signing of Russell Martin for a long term deal this off-season and two other catchers (Josh Thole and Dioner Navarro) on their 25-man roster doesn’t allow for a lot of upward mobility for a few of their top catching prospects. The Jays currently have two catchers in their top 20, Max Pentecost (#5) and A.J. Jimenez (#14), with Jimenez being closest to big-league ready, yet Pentecost with the projected higher ceiling. Toronto has also been rumoured to be in the mix for James Shields over the past couple of days, so it doesn’t seem to be a stretch that they would have interest in acquiring an even more decorated arm like Hamels to their rotation. As with the Padres, Toronto has also shown a penchant for trading prospects for proven veterans over the past few seasons.

Whether or not these teams are in contention for landing him, Cole Hamels seems likely to be traded from the Philadelphia Phillies at some point this season, and adding an insurance policy behind aging receiver Carlos Ruiz seems to be top priority.

Home/MLB Prospects