Already one of the most aggressive clubs this offseason, the San Diego Padres have an interest in trading for left-hander Cole Hamels, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Padres may not be done trading, have interest in Cole Hamels, per report
The Padres have already been busy buyers on the trade market this offseason. Could they strike a deal with the Phillies for Cole Hamels, too?
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego's wheeling and dealing has been one of MLB's biggest storylines this winter, and trading for Hamels would be an even bigger statement of intent from new GM A.J. Preller. The Padres have already re-tooled their whole outfield in three separate deals for Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers.
Per Heyman, Myers wouldn't be part of any deal for Hamels, though Phillies GM Ruben Amaro's asking price for his prized left-hander is reportedly steep. San Diego could certainly use a top-tier starting pitcher, but just how much they are willing to surrender for Hamels remains unknown.
Why this makes sense
Preller hasn't been afraid to take risks early in his tenure with the Padres, and with Kemp, Upton and Myers all on board, it makes some sense for Preller to push all his chips onto the table. Although San Diego has certainly improved its major-league outlook, the team likely remains on the outside looking in out west with the Dodgers and Giants in the same division. Adding Hamels would immediately improve the club's rotation and, along with Andrew Cashner, Ian Kennedy and Tyson Ross, give the Padres one of the NL's most formidable starting staffs.
Furthermore, San Diego has enough high-level prospects to tempt Amaro. Preller has done a tremendous job holding onto the organization's three best minor leaguers in Austin Hedges, Hunter Renfroe and Matt Wisler while being active on the trade market. Dangling one of those three and trading from San Diego's sudden outfield depth might be enough to get the ball rolling in talks for Hamels. The nine-year veteran would immediately make the Padres' push for contention more credible.
Why this doesn’t make sense
The Padres aren't the only team interested in Hamels, of course, and that alone muddles their chances. Heyman mentioned the Red Sox, Cubs and Cardinals as other potential suitors, and Hamels' contract might prove to be another stumbling block. Although San Diego has shown a willingness to spend more this offseason, Hamels is owed $94 million total through 2018. Heyman believes the Padres can still afford the lefty, but it would likely take further financial maneuvering on Preller's part.
Still the biggest obstacle remains Ruben Amaro himself. The Phillies’ GM hasn’t budged from his high asking price for Hamels, and the 31-year-old hurler could prove too expensive for San Diego’s taste. Some believe Amaro isn’t truly committed to dealing Hamels this offseason, anyhow, unless another team’s offer blows him away.
Likelihood: 3 out of 10
If Hamels is traded, the Padres will certainly be involved in the process. But talks for the lefty aren’t at any advanced stage, and with each passing week, it grows likelier that Hamels will remain in Philadelphia to start the season. Preller’s unwillingness to trade any of his best prospects thus far combined with Amaro’s steep asking price make this a tough fit.
Yet San Diego does have the necessary pieces and the need for a starter like Hamels. If he is traded, the Padres are as likely a destination as any team. Hamels’ chances of suiting up for the Padres next season largely depend on how aggressive Preller wants to be.
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