Which Teams are Watching Cliff Lee? Is Hamels Available?
During the Jayson Stark Show, hosted by our very own Pat Gallen, Stark named the 10 teams that are in attendance for Monday nights Phillies game presumably to scout Cliff Lee. Those teams are; Tigers, Pirates, Giants, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Angels, Blue Jays, Orioles, Brewers, and Royals. Lee is making his first start since an elbow strain put him on the disabled list in mid May.
Lee is owed $25 million next season and the lefty also has one of those pesky vesting options for 2016 for the price of $27.5 million. The Phillies would have to eat some of that salary if they hope to get anything back for the four time All Star. Lee is scheduled to make one more start before the July 31st non waiver trade deadline.
Stark also threw out a very interesting nugget about Cole Hamels. Reports out of Boston surfaced last week stating that the Phillies were not interested in trading Hamels, but Stark rebuffed that. “I’m hearing that Cole Hamels is available.” Stark, quoting an unnamed source, said the Phillies weren’t trying to move Hamels, but looking to see if they could get blown away by an offer. Hamels isn’t as off limits as previously thought. If you are wondering what it would cost a team to acquire the services of the 30 year old lefty Stark notes that the asking price would be similar to that of the Ray’s David Price. Which is a lot.
You can listen to the Jayson Stark show every Monday from 6-7 on 97.5 the Fanatic. You can also watch the show live as it broadcasts from the Green Parrot in Newtown Pennsylvania.
