San Francisco Giants: Six Possible Trade Ideas
SP Cole Hamels (Philadelphia Phillies)
Jul 10, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of their MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
What is a trade idea without including Cole Hamels in the discussion? The funny thing though is, it is a great idea.
Despite the Philadelphia Phillies winning their first two games out of the All-Star break, it is now time to move their ace. Hamels was the playoff hero in 2008, and he put on a show. Since 2008 though, he has been living in the shadow to Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. He was an ace stuck third in the rotation.
Ruben Amaro has held on to Hamels too long and the demands for his star pitcher are too high. The Giants smacked around Hamels right before the All-Star break for nine earned runs. If you can’t beat them, join them would be the thought. Hamels is signed through 2019, so the compensation would not cost the loss of a draft pick, as Jon Lester and James Shields would have done for the Giants this offseason.
A native of Southern California, the Giants’ rival, Los Angeles Dodgers, surely have their nose in the Hamels sweepstakes as well. Hamels originally had a short list of teams he would consider a trade to, but desperation to get out of Philadelphia has moved him to expand the list to allow more teams to pursue him.
Why the Giants should pursue Cole Hamels?
Hamels would not be a one year rental. Being signed through 2019 with $88 million left to pay over the next four years, Hamels costs way less than both Lester and Shields. His contract would benefit the Giants and provide another ace behind Bumgarner. Most importantly, the Phillies are willing to help pay some of the remaining contract in the trade, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Bringing in Hamels would also add a dynamic 1-2 punch. In the division, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke already provide the best 1-2 punch, if not the entire league. Bumgarner and Hamels would immediately challenge the Dodger duo.
In the offseason, the Giants could pursue David Price and Greinke, who will be free agents, but they are both players who would demand more than what Hamels costs.
With ace stuff and a team friendly contract, the Giants could provide another splash in the headlines besides the three championship in five years.
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