Boston Red Sox: 5 starting pitchers to target at the MLB Trade Deadline

Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers

Don’t be surprised if the Boston Red Sox are linked to Texas Rangers starter Cole Hamels once again.

With the Rangers out of contention, Hamels is at the top of the list of players the team is willing to use as a trade chip.  At 34 years old, the veteran lefty still has good stuff, but is not the No. 1 starter he was prior to signing his deal with the Rangers.

So far this season, he has a 4.05 ERA and has allowed 20 home runs in 17 starts.  Not too enticing, but giving his playoff experience and veteran leadership, he could be worth adding to a rotation led by Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello.

Like Happ, Hamels could also draw interest from the New York Yankees.  Although he has partial veto power and can block a trade to the Yankees or Red Sox, his hunger to play for a contender could yield any desire to block that deal.

He could, however, return to the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Phillies have reportedly expressed some interest in a reunion and they are also on the list of teams he can’t block a trade.  The downside about a Hamels deal is that he may require the Red Sox to pick up his 2019 option.

That could be a deal breaker for the Red Sox as Hamels is on the wrong side of 30.