The Los Angeles Dodgers are keeping a close eye on Cole Hamels as they emerge as a leader for a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Detroit Tigers hesitant to move David Price and James Shields proving to be too expensive with the San Diego Padres, all attention is on Hamels with the trade deadline just days away. Will the Dodgers make the big move to get the pitcher for short-term and long-term help?
According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Dodgers have the lead on the race for Hamels, but can they offer the best trade package as the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants make late deals for the pitcher? The biggest player the Dodgers are reportedly willing to offer is Yasiel Puig. After the Los Angeles Times reported that Puig was informed he would not be going anywhere at the deadline, Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the Dodgers would move the outfielder if the return was exactly right. Is that return Hamels?
The Phillies have raised the price on Hamels, aware of the amount of interest in him. They want players over money and Puig could be an excellent addition to Philadelphia, giving the team a young player to invest in considering he is signed through 2019. The Phillies will want more than Puig, but the Dodgers are not willing to give up Corey Seager or Julio Urias, making the trade difficult to iron out. The drop off of other prospects is very steep meaning Los Angeles will have to give up at least one player to make the deal happen.
The Dodgers need Hamels. Next season their rotation as some question marks wit Zack Grienke owning the ability to opt out, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu coming off of injury and Brett Anderson is heading to free agency. Hamels is locked in through 2018 meaning the Dodgers would be giving up a lot to get a pitcher who will remain in the rotation for a few more seasons. That will be critical to the team's development moving forward.
According to ESPN Los Angeles, the Dodgers are also willing to trade Carl Crawford or Andre Ethier for a pitcher, but their contracts are likely unwanted. The team has other pitching options they can target as David Price, CJ Wilson and Mike Leake are all currently available. The Dodgers will get another pitcher, it just remains to be seen how big they actually go.
