By Sam Bush
If you are wondering where Cole Hamels will be when spring training starts in 60-something days, the odds are it won’t be in Clearwater, Florida, where the humpty-dumpty Phillies gather.
We now have another player in the Hamels Stakes.
The pitching-rich St. Louis Cardinals are exploring ways to make themselves richer, according to a FOX Sports report.
The St. Louis Cardinals say they like their starting rotation. But that is not preventing them from pursuing a major upgrade.The team is exploring trades for left-handers Cole Hamels and David Price and the possibility of signing free-agent right-hander Max Scherzer, according to major-league sources.
The Cards already have Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Lance Lynn, John Lackey and Carlos Martinez.
However, there are injury concerns with Wainwright. He needed to have his right elbow surgically cleaned out in late October. Wacha also was limited to 107 innings last season because of shoulder troubles of his own.
On top of being due $94 million, Hamels also carries a $24 million vesting option and would likely cost St. Louis multiple top prospects in a trade with the Phillies. However, at 30 years of age, Hamels is coming off his best statistical season and is right in the prime of his career.
