Cole Hamels Blockbuster Could Turn NL West Completely on Its Head

Max Scherzer and James Shields, two of the biggest arms on the market, remain unsigned as of this writing. But there's another pitcher who could tip the balance of power wherever he lands: Cole Hamels. 

Hamels is a member of the Philadelphia Phillies until further notice. He's being dangled, though, for the right price.

For a while, it looked like the Boston Red Sox were the front-runners to acquire the 31-year-old left-hander, but Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reports that "there have been no talks this month" between Boston and Philadelphia.

However, Cafardo adds, "the Phillies are getting sniffs from the West Coast on Hamels."

Cafardo didn't specify the source of those sniffs, but it's a safe bet the Los Angeles Dodgers have interest even after filling out the back end of their rotation with free agents Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson.

Imagine Hamels slotted next to Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, forming arguably the deadliest lefty-righty-lefty combo in the game.

On Dec. 3, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal called a Hamels-to-LA deal "unlikely," noting the Dodgers would almost certainly have to part with a top prospect like Joc Pederson or Corey Seager. 

But what about a team further to the south that has spent the offseason transforming itself into a contender?

The San Diego Padres have so far focused on rebuilding their moribund offense, adding outfielders Matt Kemp, Wil Myers and Justin Upton and catcher Derek Norris via trade.

Don't count the Padres out of the Hamels sweepstakes, though. And if the Friars do land him, don't count them out as favorites in the National League West.

Yes, we said favorites.

It would have been nearly impossible to fathom a few months ago. San Diego finished 2014 in a distant third place, looking up at the free-spending Dodgers and the world champion San Francisco Giants.

Now, though, with the Giants losing more than they've added this winter and the Dodgers still dealing with questions in the bullpen, the moment could be ripe for the Pads to make a move.

Noting that San Diego has managed to hang on to most of its top prospects despite an active offseason, Bleacher Report's Rick Weiner recently suggested a package of second baseman Taylor Lindsey, outfielder Hunter Renfroe and pitcher Matt Wisler to net Hamels.

That's a lot to give up; each player is rated highest in San Diego's system at his position, per Baseball Prospectus. 

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Hamels, though, is a talent worth paying for. He posted the lowest ERA (2.46) of any NL southpaw not named Kershaw in 2014, and he's been remarkably durable, eclipsing 200 innings in each of the last five seasons.

Oh, and did we mention Hamels was born and raised in San Diego?

Assuming the Padres don't cough up either of their young rotation anchors, Hamels would join a starting five that features budding aces Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner.

He would throw his home games at Petco Park, the second-most pitcher-friendly yard in baseball, per ESPN.com. 

What about the money? Here's Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com on that potentially sticky wicket:

"

While the normally low-spending Padres already added two expensive pieces in Kemp ($15 million per year considering the Dodgers' contribution) and Upton ($14.25), it appears possible that San Diego may still have a chance to squeeze Hamels into its budget. The Padres are receiving $32 million from LA in the Kemp deal, but while it's been assumed that money might be spaced evenly over Kemp's term, that isn't the case, as it is believed the transfer may be somewhat front-loaded.

"

The Phillies, Heyman adds, might be willing to eat some of the $96 million remaining on Hamels' contract if the return bundle is sweet enough.

For his part, Hamels is ready to jump ship from the anemic, rebuilding Phils, according to no less an authority than Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

"He was neutral when I talked to him,'' Amaro told USA Today's Bob Nightengale in November. "Happy to go. I think he wants to win."

He'd increase his odds of doing just that if he landed in Los Angeles or San Diego (or almost anywhere, for that matter).

"What we'll try to do is assess what's the right value for the player," Amaro said, per Nightengale. "And if we get the right value that we're comfortable with, we'll move."

So will Hamels—and the balance of power somewhere.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference unless otherwise noted.