Kansas City Royals Options to Fix the Rotation

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Pry Cole Hamels away from the Phillies.

Quite simply, Cole Hamels is the pitching prize of the trade deadline. A bona fide ace, Hamels has had trade rumors swirling about him for the better part of the past year due to the ineptitude of the Philadelphia Phillies and their mainly incompetent General Manager Ruben Amaro.

While Hamels has struggled thus far in 2015, posting a 4.14 ERA and a 1.351 WHiP, those statistics are not truly indicative of his talent. In his career, Hamels has a 109-86 record to go along with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.146 WHiP. A true workhorse, Hamels has averaged 213 innings over the past five seasons, pitching more than 200 innings each year. Add in the fact that Hamels has struck out nearly a batter per inning over his career, and it is easy to see why teams would be lining up to acquire the Phillies ace.

However, there are two issues with trading for Cole Hamels. First, he is owed $70.5 Million over the next three seasons, and has either a $20 Million team option, a $24 Million vesting option or a $6 Million buy out. Add in his salary for this season, and that is quite a bit of money. However, Amaro may be willing to eat some of that contract, but only if he gets back two top prospects as well as other talent to replenish a barren system. Um…..

In theory, the Kansas City Royals could have the talent needed to pry Hamels away. If the Phillies are willing to eat a large amount of his salary, then such a move may be doable. It would certainly send a message that the Royals plan on competing for the foreseeable future. This move, however, just does not seem feasible.

Hey, if we’re going to dream, we may as well dream big. Maybe the Royals surprise us all, and bring in a true ace to front their rotation.

Next: What should the Royals do?