The Boston Red Sox have struggled with pitching this season and heading into June, the team could be looking at trade deals with names like Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir, Aroldis Chapman, Jordan Zimmermann and Kyle Lohse as potential targets to add to the rotation as the team tries to make a playoffs push.
The Red Sox came into 2015 with depth in the pitching rotation with Clay Buchholz, Wade Miley, Joe Kelly, Rick Porcello and Justin Masterson the five starters, but things have not gone according to plan. Miley has struggled along with Porcello overall, while Masterson is dealing with an injury and Kelly also has been up and down, posting a near 6.00 ERA in 10 starts. According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox are interested in Hamels and it comes after the team made an offer for him earlier in the offseason.
Hamels is going to be the main target for teams at the deadline and with clubs like the Brewers, Reds and Athletics struggling, there is a chance that teams could start selling. The Blue Jays and Padres are teetering on that level, while the Mariners have struggled but appear to be buyers after acquiring Mark Trumbo from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Reds are really struggling and with Johnny Cueto heading into free agency, the team could consider trading him if an extension deal is not reached.
The Red Sox overall need some depth and they could look at Hamels or someone like Scott Kazmir as an option. Kyle Lohse is an option with the Brewers, while Chapman is likely available by the Reds along with Cueto. According to CBS Sports reporter Jon Heyman, the Red Sox "remain the favorite" to get Hamels, as they have a deep farm system and the need for a starting pitcher. The team likely will not give up Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart, but they have players like Manny Margot and Jackie Bradley to shop among other prospects.
Hamels is going to be a target for numerous teams this season at the trade deadline, as the Philadelphia Phillies are rebuilding and he is likely to get moved. Hamels came up in trade talks last season and during the offseason, but the Phillies reportedly were asking for too much in trade packages. The team is willing to pick up money on the deal and that could be key for the Red Sox and other teams if they go through with the move. The Red Sox need pitching and Hamels will be at the top of the list now, while names like Lohse and Chapman also could come up.
Hamels is 5-4 this season in 12 starts and he has been impressive with a 2.88 ERA and dating back to last season at the midpoint, he has a sub 2.70 ERA in that time. Hamels is averaging over a strikeout per inning this season and he has given up just 28 walks in his 81 innings this year. Last season Hamels had one of his best performances while going just 9-9, as he had a 2.46 ERA and that was his lowest in any season in his career. Hamels has never dealt with a serious injury and he has made at least 30 starts every season since 2007, when he had 28.
