While the Philadelphia Phillies are still open to trading Cole Hamels, it doesn’t appear as if they’re pushing to get a deal done at this moment. Part of that reason is because of fellow starting pitcher, Cliff Lee.
Why would one impact the other? Well, the Phillies have yet to be impressed with any trade offer for Hamels and according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, feel both Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels could form a formidable one-two punch atop their rotation, especially if they were to add another arm in free agency.
One reason #Phillies may keep Hamels: If Lee is healthy and option vests, PHI would have two elite starters through at least ’16. Then…
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2015
If you feel as if Rosnethal’s tweet should be dated from 2011, you’re not alone as it’s a pretty big risk to put your eggs in the basket of Cliff Lee who is not only aging but an injury risk as well.
Given that, Cliff Lee shouldn’t have much impact on if the Phillies do decide to trade Cole Hamels.
Perhaps it’s their feeling that if they’re unable to find a deal, they could still compete with both Hamels and Lee along with a new free agent addition next offseason.
It seems a bit out there and more based on wishful thinking, but at least gives the Phillies some potential leverage in trade discussion (assuming they actually believe the argument themselves).
