As Cole Hamels takes the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies against the New York Yankees on Wednesday afternoon in the Bronx, a lot of eyes are on him.
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According to MLB.com, trade interest has heated up around the Phillies' ace and many scouts will be watching him as New York and Philadelphia close-out their three-game set at Yankee Stadium.
After there were rumors circulating that Hamels would waive his no-trade clause for a deal to the Yankees, the Texas Rangers emerged as contenders in the sweepstakes for the southpaw, according to Fox Sports.
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Yankees skipper Joe Girardi discussed the speculation surrounding Hamels.
"There's been a lot of talk about him since the offseason: 'How many more starts does he have in a Philadelphia uniform?'" Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before his club dropped Tuesday's game 11-6, according to MLB.com. "Nobody knows. I don't really get too caught up in it. Could he end up in our division? I guess. There are six divisions he could end up in, so I guess the chances are he could end up in ours. But I'm curious to see him pitch tomorrow."
The Rangers and Yankees have joined the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and some other clubs that are reportedly in the mix.
Philadelphia has had a steep asking price for Hamels all along, and he has the ability to block a trade to 20 different teams. Hamels is willing to play for the Rangers or Yankees, but reportedly won't allow a trade to the Astros.
Hamels is owed $22.5 million for 2015 and $67.5 million from 2016-2018, but Philadelphia is reportedly willing to pick up some of the tab if a trade match catches their eye.
The Phillies are likely to be sellers come the July 31 MLB trade deadline as they enter Wednesday's matinee meeting with the Yankees with an MLB-worst 26-47 record.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has reportedly asked for quite the haul in return for a potential trade, but it will be interesting to see if he backs off his high demands as the deadline draws closer.
Hamels, 31, is 5-5 this season with a 2.96 ERA, a 1.113 WHIP and 103 strikeouts in 14 starts.
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