Yankees Trade Rumors: Bombers Wise to Stay Away from Cole Hamels Bidding
July 5, 2012 · Brian Mazique · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees will not get involved in bidding on every high profile and available player. Per ESPN’s Buster Olney, despite the Yankees’ obvious need for pitching and the availability of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, there isn’t mutual interest.
Unless Philly’s asking price for Cole Hamels diminished dramatically, the Yankees have no intention of joining the bidding, sources say.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 4, 2012
The Yankees have C.C. Sabathia on the mend and Andy Pettite with a more serious injury, but the asking price for Hamels is too steep, even for the Yankees.
The Chicago Cubs‘ Matt Garza is a better option, even if he isn’t quite as dynamic. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer aren’t exactly giving Garza away either.
In January, the asking price was believed to be three A-list prospects, per Didier Morais of NESN.com. It’s possible that either the Phillies are looking for more, or Garza could be had for less.
Ken Rosenthal of MLBBuzz.com believes Garza is the most practical trade option for the Yankees:
Garza would appear the most realistic possibility — sources say the Yankees like him, he has a history of success in the AL East and he is under club control through 2013. But the Cubs only will trade Garza if they get the desired return — and their asking price is said to be steep.
Taking a look at Garza and Hamels, the Cubs couldn’t possibly demand the same for Garza as the Phillies are seeking for Hamels.
Garza is 4-6 with an ERA of 4.06 this season. Hamels is 10-4 with an ERA of 3.06, and he’s a left-hander with World Series experience.
The Cubs would seemingly need to come down on their asking price, and at that point, the Yankees should pounce. If not, the Yankees would be better off making do with their current staff or making a smaller deal.
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