Royals Rumors: Could Cole Hamels be KC’s new Ace?

By John Viril | Nov 13, 2014

Sep 17, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) pitches during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Recent Royals rumors seemingly suggest that the team might have wanted to discuss a deal for Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels, if this story by CBSports.com’s Jon Heyman is accurate.

Hamels is widely assumed to be available in trade, with the Phillies needing to rebuild. Hamels has indicated he would like be be traded this winter.

The 30-year-old lefty is in his prime, and ranks 7th in major-league baseball in innings pitched over the last 4 seasons. Cole Hamels is a mature ace that can carry a team to a World Series title, much like Madison Bumgarner did for the San Francisco Giants this fall.

Heyman indicated that the Phillies brought up first baseman Ryan Howard‘s name in recent discussions between the Phillies and Royals. Heyman wrote:

"The Royals simply responded to Philly’s inquiry by saying, “We’re concentrating on pitching.”It was a polite and honest way to change subjects."

Heyman went on to mention that the Royals were interested in Brandon McCarthy, Jason Hammel. and former Royal Ervin Santana. All three, however, are free agents. Yet, could Royals general manager Dayton Moore have been feeling out his counterpart in Philadelphia about what he might want in trade for Hamels?

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Certainly, it’s speculation on my part. The idea, however, is intriguing. Cole Hamels would arguably be an upgrade over the departing James Shields for the Kansas City rotation.

Hamels has pitched over 200 innings per year for the last six seasons, and boasts a career ERA of 3.27 (for an OPS+ of 125, which suggests he has been 25% better than league average). Last year, Hamels went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA for a Philadelphia team that only won 73 games in the N.L. .

Hamels, however, wouldn’t come cheap. He’s the biggest chip the Phillies have for a rebuild. Further, Hamels has an extensive no-trade clause that is reported to include 20 teams. Presumably, that clause includes the Royals since Hamels signed that contract extension in 2012—a year in which the Royals only won 72 games.

Yet, I highly doubt that Hamels would complain about getting traded to the defending American League Champs—especially since playing in front of the Royals outstanding defense could only help his future value.

The problem is Hamels is under contract for the next 4 years at $90 million through his age 34 season, with a $20 million team option in 2019. Can the Royals afford to take on such a contract, plus give up at least 2 or 3 prime prospects?

The only way I can see such a deal get done is if the Phillies were willing to eat at least $20 million of Hamels’ salary. A $17.5 million price tag might be do-able for Kansas City after the revenue boost they are likely to enjoy after their World Series run. Teams can expect as much as a 25% annual revenue windfall from a playoff appearance.

I doubt the Phillies would be willing to kick in that much money with teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Cubs in the market. Yet the upside of dealing for Hamels is that he might be the best arm available, even with Max Scherzer and Jon Lester as free agents.

The Royals, however, are one of the few teams that could afford to deal for Hamels without denuding their farm system. Kansas City has some nice pitching prospects in Sean Manea, Miguel Almonte, and Brandon Finnegan. A package that includes Raul Mondesi, Manea, and a bat like Cheslor Cuthbert plus maybe Sam Selman could bring back Hamels, without killing the Royals prospect pipeline.

Dealing for Cole Hamels would be expensive, but would set the team up for a return to the World Series over the next several seasons given their young core.

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