With the MLB Trade Deadline eight days away, the market for starting pitchers will start to heat up. Today, the Houston Astros struck first as they traded for Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir.
Now with Kazmir off the market, certain teams such as the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals are looking for a top flight starting pitcher. While the Blue Jays were interested in Kazmir, both them and the Royals are interested in Reds starter Johnny Cueto according to ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden.
Also according to Bowden, one pitcher that the Royals are not interested in is Phillies’ ace Cole Hamels. Hamels name has been thrown around in trade rumors this month with him being connected to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs.
This season, Hamels has a 5-7 record to go along with a 3.91 ERA but his last two outings have not been stellar. But will that scare teams off? According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, he spoke to one AL scout who said, “He looks fine. It was 100 degrees. He’s playing for a miserable team. And it may be hard to get motivated.”
Two AL executives also said that the Phils should be able to get one “huge prospect” for Hamels. With that noted, whatever team loses the Cueto bidding war, Hamels could end up becoming the consolation prize.
Even though, it is shocking that the Royals are not interested in Hamels since Yordano Ventura is having an up and down season.
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