MLB Free Agency 2013: Can the New York Yankees Woo Cole Hamels to the Bronx?
March 29, 2012 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Cole Hamels will be a free agent following the 2012 season, and there’s uncertainty surrounding the Phillies‘ ability to come to terms on a contract extension with the young lefty.
Hamels doesn’t seem worried about a contract extension, and why should he?
No matter what happens this season, Hamels will get paid.
As one of the premier left-handed starters in the game today, Hamels wants to be compensated as such. He has every right to make such demands, as he’s earned the right to be paid like an ace.
General manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. said earlier this week that the Phillies could afford three $20 million-a-year pitchers—Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are the other two—which would likely be the lowest annual value that Hamels would accept.
If he demands a contract in the six-year, $120 million range, the Phillies may be in a difficult spot. Shane Victorino is also a free agent this offseason, and Hunter Pence will be a free agent after the 2013 season.
Pence will likely demand more than Victorino, but both figure to be worthy of contracts with an annual salary of at least $14 million.
If the Phillies are unable to come to terms with Hamels and decide to let him walk, there are several teams that could be in the running.
One team that comes to mind is the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hamels is a San Diego guy, and the new ownership of the Dodgers could be something that appeals to him. Plus, the Dodgers would arguably have the top two left-handed pitchers in all of baseball should he sign there (Clayton Kershaw).
Another team that could be appealing is the Red Sox, but Hamels may not be interested in joining a team under as much scrutiny as the Sox.
I see the Dodgers as having the best shot at him after the Phillies, but can the Yankees make a case for Hamels?
They certainly have the need.
CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda figure to be a part of the rotation for at least the next five seasons. Hiroki Kuroda and Freddy Garcia will more than likely be moving on after this season, and Phil Hughes’ status as a starter is still up in the air.
Top prospect Manny Banuelos figures to be major league ready at some point in 2013, so there would be at least one spot in the Yankee rotation empty after this season.
The Yankees will try their best to court both Matt Cain and Hamels for that final spot, but Hamels is the more likely out of the two to leave their current team.
With Hamels in the rotation, the Yankees would likely become the immediate favorites in the American League. A one-two punch of Sabathia and Hamels would be hard to beat, and if Nova and Pineda perform to their potential, the Yankees would have one of the deepest rotations in baseball.
The Yankees would give Hamels an opportunity to win right away, and they wouldn’t be afraid to offer him a big contract.
Although they would like to get the payroll below $189 million by 2014, the Yankees could easily back-load his contract or offer him a significant amount of money upfront as a signing bonus.
Hamels would be a great pickup for the Yankees. Aside from his regular-season success, he is a dominant postseason performer.
In his postseason career, Hamels is 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA. He also owns a playoff WHIP of just 1.053.
Hamels may choose to stay in the National League and sign with the Dodgers, Phillies or another team, but he’d be wise to consider joining the Yankees if he’s offered a contract.
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