Cole Hamels fired a no-hitter against the Cubs in what could have been his final start for the Phillies. Cubs manager Joe Maddon thinks the studly performance will help the Phillies to land a top prospect, tweets Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Meanwhile, the Nationals welcomed back Anthony Rendon, and the Braves activated Freddie Freeman. Washington also expects Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman to return soon.
Here’s more from the NL East:
- The Marlins have drawn trade interest in utility fielder Derek Dietrich, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Miami would move him for the right return. Rosenthal adds that some teams view him as a potential starter at second or third base. Dietrich is hitting .301/.378/.548 in 82 plate appearances at the top level this season. The Marlins have used him as a platoon bat against right-handed pitchers while Dee Gordon recovers.
- The Mets were rumored to be in pursuit of Padres outfielder Justin Upton, but nothing is imminent, writes Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Upton is currently sidelined with a mild oblique strain. Lin lists Upton and Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes as the top hitters on the market. The Mets have the worst offense of any contender, although tonight’s outburst should help the season numbers. They’re currently third to last in team wRC+. The Phillies and White Sox are the only teams trailing New York. The acquisition of Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe will help, but only so much.
- The market for Hamels includes the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, and Rangers, writes Jayson Stark of ESPN. He mentions the Red Sox as non-traditional buyers with a desperate need to succeed in 2016. Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald tweets that some Phillies talent evaluators are “very high” on prospect Manuel Margot.
- Earlier today, we learned the Nationals were interested in Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon. Add the Cubs and Blue Jays to the list of engaged clubs, writes Zolecki. Both Chicago and Toronto are practical fits for Papelbon who has said he won’t accept a trade to serve as a setup man. The Nationals would either need to change his mind or demote Drew Storen despite excellent performance.
Papelbon’s whole I have to close thing is kind of dumb, what if he shares the closing role, is that alright? Storen could set up or get an out when needed in the 9th…
It’s not dumb at. If he doesn’t close, his 13M option won’t vest. Why wouldn’t he want that money?
Throw that 2 game small sample size on Hamels out the window… Or go ahead and project him to finish the season throwing only no hitters.
It’s going to cost a bundle to acquire any SP via trade who is under control and isn’t massively over priced if a team doesn’t want to wait until the off season and pay Cueto 200m, price maybe 200m, see what Zimmerman will cost etc.. Way I see it? If am going to have to pay thru the nose via prospects for Hamels? I say pass and give Cleveland a little more for Carrasco, or see what the Mets would take for one of their own young kids.
Even if Amaro has backed off his outrageous winter/spring demands, giving up 2-3 players near that level (just say Margot and Devers plus another decent prospect, maybe Marrero, or Cecchini) is too much and doubly so if Hamels is going to demand that 2019 TEAM option be picked up, just for the privilege of him accepting.
Sure, that makes sense for the Red Sox because they’re not going to the playoffs. But teams that are, would much rather have Cole Hamels starting 2 games a series than Carrasco.
And the Mets aren’t accepting prospects for any of their big 4. The only way they’re moving them is for a Major League proven bat that is controllable for a few years.
Had better read back a day or 2 where the Mets had discussed Wheeler with at least 1 team, not to mention? Read the teams Stark lists as STILL possible destinations for Stark…
Wheeler is not one of the big 4. If you’d rather give up a load of prospects for a potential mid-rotation starter coming off TJS than Cole Hamels, you are certainly in the minority.
I don’t feel Carrasco has Hamels ability in the next few seasons
Carrasco is starting to fall apart again. ERA now up to 4.26 after a bad outing. He’s 28 now. He’s always had great stuff going back to being in the Phillies far system as a teenager. When he’s on for a few months, he can look absolutely devastating. But he lacks discipline, focus and mental toughness which consequently leads to inconsistency. From what I’ve seen, Bauer and Salazar are the same way.
I also have a problem with Cueto. He’s inconsistent as well. Which bodes well for Price next year (I don’t think the Tigers trade him) and Hamels. Those 2 guys are solid pitchers….Jordan Zimmerman as well.
I’m a bit curious to how Cueto has been inconsistent. He hasn’t had an ERA over 2.82 in 5 seasons.
Yeah, I replied to him but apparently on the wrong comment.
Love it.
The Jays need to pass on Papelbon. They have a legit closer in Osuna, who’s been excellent all season. They need to focus on a starter or two and maybe a setup man and left fielder. Enough talk about trading for a closer.
Either Papelbon or Osuna could also be a setup man. There’s no question Papelbon would improve the Jays pen.
Edwards, Mckinney, Baez and Vogelbach for Papelbon, Cole Hamels and 30M
The Cubs keep all the “blue-chip prospects” but still give up a bunch of good prospects for Hamels, and they get a great closer.
You also believe in the Tooth Fairy !
Instead of making the remark that you would expect out of a 12 year old, why don’t you tell me whats wrong with my post. You don’t even specify which side its unreasonable for.
Phils give up everyone and cash for average depth. If I were Philly I’d be looking for the single best player I could find over sheer numbers.
Ok ,then This is what you want for a Top Ten Major League pitcher !and a Really good Relief pitcher!
Opposing Teams Scouts quotes:
1. Almora is a 4th outfielder , 2. Baez is Strikeout King, 3. McKinney is average at best, 4. Volelbeck can’t field or run. Edwards is Part of a Bigger Package either for Phil’s or another Teams Pitcher that’s all.
Is That clear now, my friend.
Ummmm … Because you do believe in the tooth fairy if you think that deals going to get it done…. Where is your top tier prospect in the offer…., the one that has been through the crucible of the minor leagues and on the verge of being a star? You want Hamels who is a big game ACE !!! Cough up the prospectsor the Phillies will keep him….. It’s now or never
Javy baez. The guy who has been a higher ranked prospect than any other proposed trade on the site.
Its starting to look like the phillies are ok with just keeping cole,and it seems like the rest of the mlb teams are ok with that too.
If I’m the Phillies, I don’t take that. They’re hesitant to move Hamels without getting 1 or 2 blue chippers in return. You’re looking to get Hamels AND Papelbon AND a big chunk of salary relief without giving up any of your stud prospects.
2 top 100 prospects, 1 former top 10 prospect and a potential replacement for Howard isn’t a bad deal at all.
The Phillies have been trying to get a blue chip prospect for Hamels for a year and a half now, it isn’t working. Papelbon isn’t gonna bring you much more than a B level prospect.
I’m a Phillies fan, I’d be mad if Amaro rejected a deal for 3 former-or-current top 100 prospects.
I’m not sure when this prospect ranking system took over…but its fairly shoddy… It reduces potential to a ranking better suited for collegiate football teams.
It’s gotten totally out of hand. You are right, this is exactly like college football rankings of players by media people that can pass themselves off as experts. Sorry, even the professional scouts and FO’s know there are no guarantees and plenty of surprises. And as with the college player ranking stories, very few ever go back and do an audit to determine how accurate those systems are. The reason? The people that do the rankings are on doing new rankings. At some point, there has to be some accountability. My background is business. No company would be run like this. I’ve gone to the library in the wintertime and looked at 3-5 year old magazines that do this sort of stuff, and while I see many top 50 players that have become stars, I’m amazed at how few are even known anymore.
What is inconsistent about Cueto? He has outperformed hid FIP and had an ERA under 3 for 5 straight seasons in a very hitter friendly park. I’m a Cardinals fan and would love to have a reason to knock Cueto, I just can’t find it.
Cuetos elbow does make me nervous,.though
Yes, you are correct about Cueto’s ERA. My bad.
I’ve been watching him the last few starts and he’s not only done poorly, he looked awful. But i went bad to his starts this year, and that has been an anomaly.
Maybe the Cardinals will sign him.
Its a combo of floor and ceiling. Like mckinney doesnt have much power but he fairly likely to become david murphy like with the bat with better speed and d. Thats super valuable. Its also harder to distinguish a hot streak in a ball vs a guy facing real prospects closer to the majors. Especially because so much more can happen to the guys lower down.
Dom Brown was a former top 2 prospect in all of baseball. Means nothing.
Lol … You do know he just threw a no hitter ? That’s what you call a big game pitcher ….. Say unlike Kershaw ….. The dude melts in the lights, prove by his 1-5 record in the playoffs with a sky high era. Stop hitting the bong, whoever lands Hamels is absolutely going to have to give up their top prospect … Lol especially after all the “we’ll we think he’s hurt and is not effective anymore like he used too,…..lol and then he slaps you in the face with a no hitter! Sit down, King cole is here to take your team to the promise land, you just gotta pay the ticket!
So phil humber throwing a perfect game made him a big game pitcher?
It took 149 pitches, but right-hander Edwin Jackson completed the second no-hitter in D-backs history and the fourth in the Majors this season in an eight-walk, six-strikeout effort for a 1-0 win over the Rays. Full story > Your right..Big game pitchers do this..What about Jackson for Hammels straight up..Phillies even save some cash
Take away the 30 mil and you got a deal.
Toss in the 30 mill you’re adding schwarber.
Hamels already has a great contract. Why are you adding 30 mill? Maybe 1/2 or 1/3 of Papelbons 13mill option in the deal but certainly not 30 mill.
fair enough. Papelbon is owed 7M for the rest of this year, and 13M for next year.
Where’d you get 20 mill? Sportrac and rotoworld says he’s making 13 mill this year.
I meant 7m for this year, typo. My bad.
He makes 13M for the 2015 season, but the season is half way through, so I can assume about half the money is paid out.
Yeah, if they did Hamels, Papelbon and 4-6 mill for papelbons option next year I can see them doing Baez Edwards McKinney vogelbach.
None of these guys are the studs Phillies are looking for , Maybe One for Paps, , Texas and Astros have more Better Players to offer overall !
The Phillies aren’t getting a stud. For whatever reason, maybe his age, no team has come forward for the stud the Phillies are looking for,
As time goes by and Hamels adds innings to that arm and control dwindles that price goes down.
If the Cubs were to take Papelbons contract to free up the 13 mill it’d be worth it to get back a good set of overall good prospects.
I’d rather have 4-6 good guys to fill team needs than 1 elite stud and ok players cause the elite stud was the center piece and teams were unwilling to give up more after that.
Also, the Astros just traded for Kazmir and have Appel Velaquez and others in the wing waiting. They’re not adding Hamels giving up top prospects when they can keep them and use cost controlled pitching they have.
The Rangers aren’t giving up Gallo or Mazara for Hamels.
Phillies would want Schwarber,Edwards,McKinney.Dont see any deal without Schwarber.
Hamels,Papelbon,Revere, and $15 M
Paps is only owed a bit less than $5 million right now as the season is about 2/3 of the way over, not halfway over. Reduce the $30 million to about $10 million and it doesn’t look too bad, but still probably less than Hamels should get.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA you expect the Phillies to give up Hamels and Papelbon without getting any blue chippers in return AND to eat a big chunk of Hamels’ salary? You are an idiot!
Baez is a “blue chipper”. Be interesting if he hits 30 homers while playing second or short next year to see what you have to say.
Baez???? Are you kidding???? That guy strikes out almost every other at-bat!!!! I know he’s young and can improve but even if he does he’s still going to be one of the Major League leaders in strikeouts. His ceiling is basically what Ryan Howard is right now.
His ceiling is basically unlimited. His floor is ryan howard right now with good up the middle d and above average speed. But lets keep up the hyperbole about strikeouts. The best hitters right now are striking out more than ever but punishing mistakes.
I believe it’s completely reasonable to expect Hamels to bring back one very good prospect. The chance that even one of those has seasons to match the remainder of his contract seasons is a risk. One of the reasons to have a deep system is in order to bring a Hamels in to seal a competive rotation. Teams that ENTIRELY wait for prospects to hit struggle to gel.
Sounds like Maddon is giving his front office some advice.
Today was for everyone in baseball a Cole Hamels showcase,can someone explain how Cole did?
Was as dominate as hes looked since the 2008 WS.
Not only did the price on Cole Hamel’s clime slightly this afternoon ,but the price on Carlos Ruiz is jacked to the next level? Big win today for Raj?
Honestly, all that I think Hamels proved today was that his recent poor outings weren’t due to an injury concern. He’s a known commodity at this point. Teams aren’t going to get no hit ball from him every 5 days…they’ll get what he’s shown over the balance of his career
As long as Cole is healthy his recent poor outings mean nothing. Every pitcher goes through rough stretches. Even Kershaw went through a particularly long one early in the season. Every team knows how good Hamels is.
Really their’s not a lot of Catchers on the Market at the moment so to Rays for a ready MLB and others. AJ to Twins for Santana the SS and others. Lucroy to Rangers for Alfaro and so on? Wieters for Avila?
Chi-Chi and Alfaro to Philadelphia for Hamels…that’s the deal I’ve actually seen contemplated in the media that I think is solid for the Phillies.
I would want more, personally. Alfaro hasn’t really ever hit, and Chi Chi’s brief MLB career scares me a bit. More walks than K’s, and FIP approaching 5.
I do like a premium arm and a projectable catcher though. I’m of the general camp that you take the beat player over a slough of average bodies
You think the cubs package proposes was light but this is solid? Chi chi doesnt strike anyone out, limits his upside. Alfaro is hurt and has k concerns just like baez and has never put up anything like baez like results.
I don’t think Baez fit into the Phillies roster with their prospects. Hes gonna need to play 2B. I do think the Phillies need an MLB close arm and catching potential….Texas would match there.
What I DO like is Milwaukee offering Fiers for Baez basically…I’m Milwaukee… I run Baez out there and see if he catches fire.
I also think the Cubs prefer Price now and in free agency…which Hamels would likely preclude
A Hamels to Boston deal still would make sense for the future, when you factor in that Cherrington’s job could be on the line next season (considering he’s gotten a vote in confidence for now)
Nova, Sanchez, Severino, and Warren for Hamels and Papelbon with no cash coming back and the Yankees guaranteeing Papelbon’s option to get him to waive his NTC.
Thats similar in a way to the Price deal. Not in terms of value, but in terms on context. Its not a huge flashy blockbuster-type return that the Phillies would want, but its a very good offer. My only notch (as a Phillies fan) would be the Phillies really need to infuse offensive production and position players into their farm system, and Sanchez doesn’t scream future clean up hitter. Not sure how thrilled the Yankees would be with trading Nova, Severino and Warren for Hamels. Depletes a ton of their depth.
For Hamels I’d want as much talent as I could get…a single player if possible…maybe an A and a B that my scouts liked. I’d don’t know if a deal with Texas involving Chi Chi and Alfaro has any legs…but that’s impact.
RAJ to the league.”We want all your top prospects for cole”. The other 29 teams..:Naaaw just keep him like we told u to do in the offseason”.
What pretty much everyone does know.
Untouchables
Judge and maybe Sev
Urias
Seager
Schwarber
Bryant
Russell
Soler
Phillips
The mets fab 4
Moncada
Betts
Yanks need a pitcher- Hammels/leake
Mets need a couple bats-Upton/zobrist
Cubs need a bat- Upton/cargo
Boston can use two pitchers- Hammels/cueto/ross
Houston made a great pickup with kasmir..Gave up basicaly nothing..longterm down the road potential
Bluejays need pitcher-hammels/cueto/price
Dodgers need just a 3 or 4 guy with kershaw/greinke-hammels/cashner/ross
Nats need a bat that can stay healthy
This list is exactly why Rangers are the only ones that have a shot at getting Hamels.
I’m wondering if the Sox breakdown and flip Margot for Hamels