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5 moves the Yankees should make at the MLB trade deadline

By Josh Criswell

Apr 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) looks on in the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) looks on in the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws to the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws to the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

It would not be an MLB trade deadline discussion without Cole Hamels in the mix. Factor in the New York Yankees’ starting pitching needs, and it would be a travesty to leave him off this list.

Trade rumors regarding Hamels have been swirling around since the season began, and with his team sitting 18.5 games out of the playoffs, it seems to be only a matter of time before the Philadelphia Phillies make a deal.

Hamels is not having the best season of his career, recording a 3.91 earned run average and allowing 8.5 hits per nine innings, the second-worst of his 10 years in the majors. However, he is also coming off a season in which he posted a career-best 2.46 ERA. In addition, he is averaging 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings this season, proving that he still has the arm to be an elite pitcher in this league.

The Phillies ace is likely the second-hottest pitching commodity available at the MLB trade deadline, behind the Cincinnati Reds’ Johnny Cueto, so Hamels will not come cheap. What makes him worth the hefty price tag is the fact that he is signed through 2018, unlike Cueto who will become a free agent after the season.

For a Phillies team that has not finished closer than 17-games back in the division in the past three years, and is heading towards another horrendous finish this season, it is clear that the organization needs a complete overhaul.  The Philadelphia farm system needs so much help that they will likely be willing to take on whatever top prospects they can get, regardless of position.

Besides Luis Severino, Aaron Judge and Jorge Mateo, I can envision almost every player in the Yankees’ minor league system being available as potential trade options for Hamels.

Next: Acquire Craig Kimbrel from the Padres

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