Report: Hamels would waive no-trade clause to Boston if 2019 option picked up
The Boston Red Sox's offseason shopping spree is just getting underway.
Boston has reportedly inked free-agent stars Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval to long-term deals, and the organization now has its eyes set on starting pitching. Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels is apparently among the club's primary targets.
The left-hander, who has four years and $90 million remaining on his contract, would reportedly waive his no-trade clause to Boston if the Red Sox picked up his $20 million club option for 2019, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Hamels' club option can still become automatic if he throws 400 innings in the last two years of the deal, and is not on the disabled at the end of 2018 for an arm-related injury, according to Cot's Contracts. But, with the Red Sox on his no-trade list, he has leverage to persuade Boston to guarantee the option.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Red Sox have had the most serious talks with the Phillies for Hamels' services, and have made an offer to top free-agent pitcher Jon Lester, whom Boston dealt to the Oakland Athletics in July for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Boston's interest in both arms makes sense, as the club is short on starting pitching and will have a surplus of position-player depth once the Ramirez and Sandoval deals become official.
Nightengale reported earlier in the month that Hamels would like to be traded this offseason.