As the trade deadline draws near, the Yankees will continue to make all the calls they feel they have to in order to upturn every stone in their attempt to upgrade the 2015 team. According to Ken Rosenthal, Brian Cashman has asked the Phillies about cole Hamels:
#Yankees contacted #Phillies on Hamels, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. PHI likes Judge; NYY not planning to move Judge, Bird, Severino.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2015
We knew the Yankees were hoping to hold onto Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, and Greg Bird, but could that idea go out the window if they can acquire Cole Hamels? Whether you actually want him or not, it makes sense that the Yankees would inquire on the left-handed ace as the Phillies prepare to sell. He's one of the best pitchers out there and he'll be a multi-year commitment with three years and $70 million still on his contract, plus a $20 million option for the 2019 season, making him anything but a rental. Ruben Amaro has demanded an unfair amount in his trades up until now, but this is the first player he's tried to trade that actually deserves the large haul being asked for.
It doesn't appear that the talks were very serious and the Yankees might not even be that interested in acquiring Hamels at this point. With the Red Sox reportedly looking into the 31-year-old pitcher, Cashman could just be doing his homework.
Cashman: "We've had conversations with every club willing to sell, finding out what they're willing to sell and what their price tags are."
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2015
Cashman added: "You engage everyone about everything." Standard operating procedure for #Yankees at this time of year.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2015
The Yankees could definitely use a rotation upgrade with Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda being inconsistent, and Nathan Eovaldi, Ivan Nova, and CC Sabathia all having an argument for them to be moved to the bullpen. Keep an eye on these trade talks, but it doesn't sound like things got off to much more than an exchange of names and a polite 'no thank you.' Things can change and move quickly though.