The Boston Red Sox are looking more like buyers at the trade deadline than sellers as the team struggles to keep their heads above water in a tight division race as they currently sit eight games back from the New York Yankees. Pitching is the area of focus for the franchise heading into the trade deadline as they send scouts out to eye some of the top prospects available. So which arm could be coming to Boston?
According to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, the Red Sox have sent scouts to look at Cole Hamels who is close to being dealt from the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels has been on the trade block from the better part of a year and the Phillies are finally gearing up to deal him. While Boston is considered a favorite to get the deal done, the Yankees and Cubs remain interested as well.
These reports contradict what Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting. The MLB insider believes it is highly unlikely Hamels goes anywhere this season as he sits with a 5-7 record and 3.63 ERA on the season. So believe the Phillies would like to wait for the offseason to deal Hamels, but they might get a better return on him now as teams get desperate for last-minute upgrades.
Hamels is not the only pitcher getting attention from Boston. According to WEEI.com's Rob Bradford, the Red Sox like the idea of getting Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds as he plays out the final year of his contract. The issue with Cueto is that he will likely not come cheap in a trade and in contract talks for the upcoming season. Bradford also believes a reunion with Jonathan Papelbon could be in the works as well as the Red Sox eye a closer. There were talks of a potential deal happening back in April, but so far nothing has come from it.
The Red Sox could ship off at least one pitcher from the rotation. The Boston Globe reported the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs were looking closely at Clay Buchholz for pitching help. The Red Sox have not said whether or not he is available for deals, but if they end up acquiring someone like Hamels or Cueto, Buchholz could be on the move.
