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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 players that could shape the trade market

By Kyle Franzoni

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May 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) delivers a pitch during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) delivers a pitch during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Cole Hamels

  • Team: Philadelphia Phillies
  • Position: Starting Pitcher
  • 2015 Stats: 5-5, 2.96 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 9.83 K/9 ratio

While Cueto may be drawing the most attention and will drive up the largest bids, Cole Hamels won’t necessarily be a bad consolation prize for the runner-up. The Phillies lefty has rebounded after a rough start to the season and is currently right around his career norms in terms of ERA (2.96) and FIP (3.55), but is currently posting the highest K/9 ratio since his rookie season in 2006.

The one advantage that Cole Hamels brings to the table is controllability. He is still under contract for each of the next three seasons and has a vesting option for 2019 if he throws 400 combined innings in 2017 and 2018. However, that’s also one of the biggest detriments to landing Hamels.

Philadelphia isn’t looking to trade Hamels simply because they are rebuilding. Instead, the team is looking to move the $22.5 million that Hamels is owed over each of the next three seasons (and potentially the $19 million on the vesting option). That kind of financial commitment gives teams pause when considering that Hamels is now 31-years-old and has thrown for 1895 innings in his career. Those are warning signs for teams, especially considering the rate of decline on contemporaries like C.C. Sabathia. However, Hamels has also provided an average value of $33.275 million over the last four seasons, well above the investment laid out in him.

Now some of that concern may go away, especially if Philadephia is willing to eat some of that salary in order to make a deal happen, but the Phillies will only do so on a sliding scale based on what prospects they have coming in return. If we’ve learned anything from Ruben Amaro, it is that he’s never going to let go of a commodity cheaply and interested general managers are already complaining that he’s asking the world.

Hamels could fit in Texas, especially with their lack of a true ace until Yu Darvish returns next season. He would give the Rangers stability to build off of . The Dodgers could also make a lot of sense here, especially with their deep farm system, where they could build a much bigger package and also take acquire Phillies closer….

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