Trade Series PT 2: Cole Hamels Blockbuster to the Dodgers

Dodgers:

The Dodgers have been a surprise contender this year, patching together some of their pitching staff and a good section of their roster with a bundle of 2 year deals. The started the season red hot, but have cooled down as of late, dropping to a game behind the division leading Giants. With their ownership situation resolved, the Dodgers may be comfortable to make big moves to improve and willing to spend large amounts of money to keep their team on top. The Dodgers are in the market, looking for a good pitcher to put behind Clayton Kershaw, who has been good as he always has been. If Zack Greinke becomes available, the Dodgers should also be considered a suitor for him as well. Since the Phillies started having rough times this year, the Dodgers have been named as possible suitors, considered the favorites for Hamels if he is dealt. The Dodgers may also be in play for some of the other players that may be made available by the Phillies. The only thing that may block the Dodgers from acquiring Hamels would be if the Dodgers want Hamels to sign an extension to complete the trade.

Here are the trade offer(s).....

LHP Cole Hamels to the Dodgers for RHP Nate Eovaldi, RHP Allen Webster, LHP Chris Reed, 1B/3B/OF Jerry Sands

LHP Cole Hamels, OF Shane Victorino to the Dodgers for RHP Zach Lee, RHP Garrett Gould, OF Alfredo Silverio, RHP Chris Winthrow, C Gorman Erickson


1st Trade- The Dodgers will acquire the marquee pitcher that they want to couple with Clayton Kershaw. They will have to give up a good amount of talent, but Hamels is the best pitcher available and has shown that he is a gamer willing to pitch when needed and will always throw a tough game.

The Phillies acquire a good quad of pitching prospects, which should help them in the near future, and a position player in Jerry Sands, who might be able to play at third for them in the future and at age 24, is almost major league ready. This is a solid package for Hamels, but the Phillies may want more value if they have to leverage the deal on a trade-n-sign.

2nd Trade- The Dodgers need an outfield bat and a good pitcher. I don't think Tony Gwynn Jr. should be starting on a contending team, and they might want to package together Hamels and Victorino to fill their roster holes. They are giving up a plethora of prospects, but shoring up their roster. This move would easily put them in contention for the World Series, making their lineup stronger and putting a second dominant left hander into the rotation.

The Phillies are getting a titanic haul in this trade. They receive 3 premium pitching prospects and 2 very good position prospects to help give their farm system depth. The chances are becoming smaller everyday that they wait to resign Cole Hamels, and Victorino is going to become a big expensive on a team that may not want to pay him $10-12 million to start.