Philadelphia Phillies Want 3 Top Prospects For Cole Hamels

By Ed Carroll | Nov 9, 2014

Sep 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly looking for three top prospects, all nearly ready for MLB action, in return for ace left-hander Cole Hamels.

If your team is interested in Philadelphia Phillies left-handed starter Cole Hamels, be prepared to possibly pay a steep price. The Phillies are considering trading Hamels to both free the team of the $96 million he is owed across the next four years and to help address other glaring issues on the big-league roster, but are reportedly asking other teams for three top prospects, with two of the prospects needing to be ready to play in MLB right now.

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If that sounds like a high price for Cole Hamels, you’re likely right, although it’s not necessarily because Hamels hasn’t been good; Hamels has been great, and last season he was worth 3.8 Wins Above Replacement per Frangraphs, once again passing the 200 innings milestone and posting an ERA of 2.46. Hamels will turn 31 in late December, and his trade value is probably not going to get any higher than it has been before.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has been known for overvaluing his own players in trades, so there’s a chance Hamels stays put because few teams would be willing to meet the asking price. Of course, there’s also a chance ownership forces Amaro’s hand into taking a deal he considers inferior, but so far, Amaro has been more willing to pass on a deal than trade a player for lower value than he thinks.

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