Report: Add Houston To List Of Potential Hamels Buyers
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Red Sox, the Cubs, the Rangers, the Blue Jays, the Dodgers, and now the Astros are rumored to be after the Phillies' left-handed ace Cole Hamels.
The ascending Astros, 34-21, surprisingly find themselves a top the American League West (5.5 games ahead of the Angels) and suddenly they are looking to add a top-of-the-rotation arm.
"Executives familiar with their thinking suggest Hamels remains on their radar, with Astros great Nolan Ryan said to be a big fan of his," reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Heyman admits while the Astros might be reluctant to take on Hamels' $24 million yearly salary, the Phillies--with an incoming new mega-TV deal---could eat some of that. The catch is, Hamels can block a trade to 20 teams, with the Astros being one of them.
"Although while that person suggested he didn't believe Houston would 'float his boat,' that person added this caveat: 'But you never know.'" Heyman writes.
Heyman lists, "Jonathan Singleton (who came from Philly in that boffo Pence trade), infielders Nolan Fontana and Colin Moran, outfielders Domingo Santana (who also came in that Pence deal) and Teoscar Hernandez, catcher Max Stassi and many pitchers, including right-hander Mark Appel (the former No. 1 pick, who threw 97 mph in his five shutout innings Wednesday)," as potential prospects the Phillies might seek from Houston in a deal involving Hamels.
Remember, Ed Wade is a former Astros and Phillies general manager. Wade is now an executive in the Phillies' organization, again.
