Ryan Dempster, Shaun Marcum, Johan Santana, and Cole Hamels' trade value
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Ryan Dempster, Shaun Marcum, Johan Santana, and Cole Hamels' trade value
David Murphy
I've written several times that I can't see the Phillies trading away Cole Hamels, but that doesn't mean they won't trade him, which does mean we have to keep an eye on the potential market for him. Last week, we broke down what the Phillies should be in a position to demand in return from the star left-hander, who is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season. Of course, a lot depends on the market, specifically what other options there are for teams who are looking to upgrade their rotation for the stretch run. In that light, a few recent developments would seem to bolster Hamels' current market worth. Yesterday, the Brewers scratched starter Shaun Marcum from a start due to soreness in his right elbow, the latest health concern for the starter. Marcum, who is 5-3 with a 3.39 ERA, has the potential to be on the market given the Brewers' struggles this season.
--More significant is the Cubs' decision to place righty Ryan Dempster on the disabled list because of tightness in his lat. A free agent after the season, Dempster has had an outstanding campaign thus far. According to the Chicago Sun Times, there is no timetable for his return, but the injury definitely raises questions about his availability at the trade deadline.
--For most of the first two months of the season, I thought Johan Santana had a shot at becoming 2012's version of 2010 Roy Oswalt, a renowned pitcher with a year-and-a-half left on his contract who emerged as one of the top guns for hire on the trade market. This is a guy who pitched a four-hit complete game shutout with seven strikeouts on 96 pitches six days BEFORE he pitched a no-hitter.
But Santana still has to prove he has rebounded from his 134-pitch effort in that no-no on June 8th. In two starts since, he has allowed 10 runs on 13 hits with 11 strikeouts and five walks in 10 innings. There are other factors that could limit his return -- he has pitched on normal rest in only four of his 13 starts, and has pitched on six days rest twice. Most significant, though, is the roughly $40 million that any team who trades for him will owe him through next season. Oh, and he has a no-trade clause.
Nice update. Thanks.
The likelihood of injury seems more a probability than a possibility with starting pitchers these days.— zubzub
Trade Cole for what you can get for him as he will NOT be resigning with the Phils...count on it. Why should he the team stinks and he is an LA guy and they have lots of money....bye bye Cole.— mbutley- Let's hope we keep Hamels. Give him the money. He is worth it.— casehop
- Hope we keep him but if we can't, this is good news.— eman
- Isn't this writer the guy who basically guaranteed Hamels would be re-signed by end of July? He has done some serious backing up in his last few posts, which is understandable, I suppose. But, why did he write that all-but-guaranteed piece. I guess we are all guilty of wishful thinking.— dirttracker
- Agreed Murph, however, some of us, despite WANTING the Phils to resign Hamels, believe that he wants to sign elsewhere since he has ties and pulls to other places. For a 28 year old to not explore the brighter lights in other places, like NY/LA would be career insanity, even if he returns here.
That makes the Phils situation a complete 'crapshoot' - trade him, get value, don't trade him, try to resign him, perhaps lose him for virtually no value. It is truly getting hairy. And the next 60 days will portend the Phils and his future.— 24sDad - My optimistic side wants to believe you, and I will certainly give you the benefit of the doubt, as you're a lot closer to the source. I don't believe all the talk about him going to LA, especially after reading he has as many ties to the east coast. However, it would seem natural he might want to hear other potential offers, but hopefully, he is not going to quibble over a few million here or there.
Even if he needs surgery at some point, which most pitchers do, I'd rather have him for 5 out of 6 years, then not.
True, 24, the next 6 weeks will be very interesting. I'm old enough to remember the heartbreak in '64, so I remain a fan no matter what.— dirttracker - I would love a rebuild around Hamels,Lee,Ruiz,Utley, Howard,Papelbon, and I guess Rollins.
Everyone else including Haliday would be trade bait for the right return.
Just a thought, can Jimmy Rollins play third base ? Would he ?— tony bell - I think RAJ will trade Hamels, and why i think that.....because RAJ is a Idiot.— pr0f3ss0r
- Why would a team in need of pitching trade for Hamels and give a pitcher in return? Dave must be watching a different Phils team that needs to get younger and healthier at 2nd, 3rd and in the outfield with Vic's free agency looming. Cole to Texas for infield/outfield prospects...it's that kind of a deal that the Phils need and Cole gets another decent shot at the Series...no hard feelings when the team tries to negotiate w/him in free agency.— RAJ-a-holic
- Another writer who should resign ! Remember the story :Should the 76er's go to the playoffs ? Here is another jump ship loser ! Trade Cole ? wa -ick ~~~ Think again and i hope the bosses of this online "Fire" this sissy.Philadelphia hates panic pususs talk ! Lets put both of you losers on the unemployed line.As we will prefail 6th time. also sixers are in the books ! They played all they had. Am sick of these write for numbers in todays fact of allways= PHILADELPHIA BORN AND PROUD !— Goldcoast Tony
- Gee, let's see: Halladay - DL, Blanton - Blanton, Lee - 0fer2012, Kendricks - shell shocked. So let's trade the ONLY, f...ing pitcher on the team??? Are you nuts?? There a plenty of guys who can be jettisoned after this year. Utley, Howard, Halladay may very well be done. Hamels is the only KEEPER.— billtfla
- If he doesn't get traded, he's gone.— ACBaughman
- Trade him. The ant-Philly persona. He'll quit at season's end as he did in the '09 series. Enjoy the surf, Cole.— Carl Nidray
- Cole has a World Series Championship, World Series MVP, NLCS MVP....what he wants??? TO BE PAID!!!! We have ZERO chance to resign him. Trade him to the highest bidder, get some major league ready talent and get younger at the same time...perhaps 1-2 pitchers, a 3B, and an OF. I'd like to Rube pull off a trade similar to what the Indians did for dealing bartolo Colon to the Expos back in the day (Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, and Brandon Phillips in return)....wishful thinking— philly13
