MLB Trade Rumors: Latest on Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard and More
If you think that the MLB hot stove is just for free agents in early November, think again.
There are plenty of trade rumors circulating around the league as rebuilding squads look to unload veteran contracts to potential contenders in exchange for young assets to help the rebuilding process.
With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest trade whispers from around the majors.
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Cole Hamels
Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly provided an update on Cole Hamels:
"Though they are not aggressively looking to trade an ace pitcher, they are listening to any and all offers, and if they get back the big package of potential young game-changers they are seeking, they just might trade Hamels.
Industry sources say the Phils are looking for at least three top prospects, two that can play right now and another that isn’t far away.
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Hamels will be 31 during the 2015 season and still should theoretically have something left in the tank, but the Philadelphia Phillies are in full-out rebuild mode. The best way to accelerate the rebuilding process is with young talent, and trading an ace pitcher will land plenty in return.
Interestingly, Salisbury noted that the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are both potential suitors with the farm systems to match. A bidding war would absolutely drive the asking price up for the southpaw, especially if it is between the high-spending Red Sox and the up-and-coming Cubs.
The Cubs are particularly intriguing.
They may be the “Lovable Losers” historically, but there is plenty of momentum surrounding the franchise. Chicago hired Joe Maddon, and the young prospects that team president Theo Epstein has stocked up on over the past few years are starting to reach the major league level.
Adding an ace like Hamels would make the Cubs much more formidable and a legitimate threat to win the National League Central.
Salisbury also passed the following along in the same story regarding Ryan Howard: “The team is actively looking to trade Ryan Howard and is willing to eat a huge amount of the $60 million that remains on his contract to do so.”
Howard’s contract, especially since he will turn 35 this season, is an albatross for a Phillies team trying to rebuild.
While he did hit 23 home runs in 2014, his average was a measly .223, he struck out a league-high 190 times and his wins above replacement was a dismal minus-1.1. The Phillies would have been better off with a replacement-level first baseman than Howard last season.
Phillies bench coach Larry Bowa said on the 94WIP Morning Show that Howard would probably be more effective in the American League, via Andrew Porter of CBS Philly:
"I mean, in all fairness to him [Howard], when a big guy like that does something to his Achilles and then you’re out on the field for nine innings and you’re making plays, you’re going to your right, going to your left, that takes a wear and tear on your body. I mean, if you look at just numbers, I would be shocked if an American League wouldn’t say you know what, ‘I’ll take 25 [home runs] and 100 [runs batted in] and he’ll be my DH [designed hitter].’
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Howard would certainly fit in better as a designated hitter given his injury history and age. Now all the Phillies have to do is find a valid suitor.
Jason Castro
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe noted that the Houston Astros could be making a trade soon:
“Jason Castro, C, Astros — With the Astros obtaining Hank Conger from the Angels, the feeling is they will listen to trade offers on Castro.”
Cafardo mentioned that the Boston Red Sox could be potential suitors considering Jason Castro is a left-handed bat who plays catcher. Interestingly, during the season Cafardo discussed in a separate piece the predicament that the Red Sox face when it comes to catcher:
"The Red Sox have a solid, young defensive catcher in Christian Vazquez and the consensus is that they’d like to see Vazquez remain the starter.
Great arm. Still learning to call a game, but that’s coming. The problem is hitting. And before we say we don’t care about how much he hits, you have to care about how much he hits because he’s in an American League lineup that is currently last in the league in runs.
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Castro only hit .222 last season for the Astros, so it’s not like he is an All-Star with the bat, but he did club 14 homers and drove in 56 RBI. If nothing else, he would give the Red Sox a solid option off the bench and some more depth at a physically grueling position.
Like pitching, you can never really have too much solid catching because of the injury risk and wear and tear it takes on the body. Castro and Christian Vazquez would give Boston a solid depth chart behind the plate.
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