After sending Jon Lester to the Oakland A’s before the July trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox knew they’d need to replace his production.
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There were rumors suggesting Lester may be willing to re-sign with the Red Sox this offseason, but Boston will need more than just Lester and there’s no sure thing of a return. That’s why rumors broke suggesting that the Boston Red Sox were interested in trading for Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels. However, Hamels doesn’t seem overly keen on the idea of playing in Beantown as the Boston Red Sox are currently on his no-trade list.
"John Boggs, the agent for Cole Hamels, said he will sit down with the lefthander and put together a new 20-team no-trade list by Nov. 1. According to Boggs, the Red Sox were on Hamels’s 2014 no-trade list and the Phillies would have to have asked permission to deal him to Boston."
For what it’s worth, that isn’t an indication that Hamels won’t change his mind. Boggs told the Boston Globe that Cole Hamels will look at those on his no-trade list and may make some changes during the offseason.
As for the Philadelphia Phillies, they were said to be open to listening on offers for Cole Hamels though aren’t actively attempting to trade him. Given that, it seems unlikely that the two would find a middle ground, even if Cole Hamels was to agree on a trade.
Philadelphia is said to be seeking three or four elite level prospects, a price Hamels is simply not worth.