The Dodgers have joined the Red Sox in pursuit of Phillies ace Cole Hamels, Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY reports. The Red Sox have already talked to the Phillies about a potential deal, having shot down a couple of proposals. Additionally, the Cubs have been reported to have interest in the lefty.
Hamels, 30, has four years and $96 million remaining on his contract with the Phillies. He has appeal to contending teams because his contract is shorter in length as compared to free agent starters — Max Scherzer and Jon Lester, for instance — who are expected to draw six-year deals in the $150-200 million range.
Hamels had another excellent season for the Phillies in 2014, finishing with a 2.46 ERA and a 198/59 K/BB ratio in 204 2/3 innings. He missed the first three weeks of the season due to left shoulder tendonitis, but has otherwise been quite healthy over the duration of his nine-year career.