Phillies Scouting Dodger Prospects As Prep For Hamels Deal
While the Los Angeles Dodgers have been rather quiet this offseason, they have been mentioned in rumors that has them shipping out an outfielder or acquiring a piece to fill the roster. One rumor that has been floating around is the Dodgers interest in trading for Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Phillies may have some interest in a potential deal with the Dodgers:
The #Phillies are doing intensive homework on the #Dodgers minor-leaguers these days in preparation of Cole Hamels' trade talks.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 2, 2014
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. considers Hamels a top-tier starting pitcher and it has been said that they are expecting a large haul for the former All-Star. Last season the left-hander went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA in 30 starts for the Phillies. He has thrown at least 200 innings in the past five seasons, has made the All-Star team three times and is a former World Series MVP. Hamels has four years left on his deal with an option for a fifth year.
The Dodgers have turned their focus to the farm system in recent years and have some serious talent on the rise. When the Dodgers looked towards Hamels before the trade deadline, it was said that the Phillies wanted at least two of the Dodgers “big three” of Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Julio Urias. It’s still not known if this is true or continues to be true, but Amaro is known for wanting maximum return for his players.
Depending on the deal, the Dodgers could try to pry shortstop Jimmy Rollins and/or catcher Carlos Ruiz from the Phillies to fill some other holes.
Take Hamels and give up Ethier or Crawford, as well as Urias and some lower level prospects – and then ask for Rollins to be tossed in.
throw in that catcher and you have something to talk about.
I would give up Joc Pederson, Julio Urias and maybe even Guerrero to get back Hamels. Maybe throw in Ethier and eat a bunch of his contract to get back Rollins
Joc over Urias hopefully.
If the Phillies are doing intensive homework on the Dodgers minor leagues then that means that the big 3 (Joc Pederson, Julio Urias, and Corey Seager) are not involved in trade talks. The Dodgers will get a trade done with the Phillies for Cole Hamels and Jimmy Rollins. Matt Kemp will stay with the Dodgers. Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford will be traded whether it is to the Phillies or to another team with the Dodgers eating a lot of their salary. The Phillies are in dire need of outfielders. The Dodgers starting lineup win 2015 will include: Dee Gordon 2B, Jimmy Rollins SS, Adrian Gonzalez 1B, Matt Kemp RF, Yasiel Puig LF, Joc Pederson CF, Juan Uribe 3B, AJ Ellis C. Starting Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw, Zack Grienke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Cole Hamels, and Dan Haren unless they trade him for another pitcher.