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Red Sox's Victorino would trade 2-3 prospects for Cole Hamels

Boston Globe / Getty

Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino wouldn't be opposed to trading the future away for a chance to win now. 

The 36-year-old, who's entering the final year of his contract, is well aware of the Red Sox's pursuit of his former teammate and Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels, and Victorino believes the team should do whatever it takes to bring the left-hander to Boston.

"Any time you can get a No. 1, as I told these guys - not the front office, but the players - any time you can go get a guy in my opinion who is established, who has done it (you do it)," Victorino told Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News. "And I understand you don't want to give up this prospect or that prospect. You're hoping this guy becomes a Cole Hamels. Hoping. Oh wait, that guy is there now. And even as a hitter. Why would you hope that guy becomes this hitter, when you have it right now?

"I understand there's a financial side. And there's a bigger picture. But like I said, at the end of the day, it's right here in front of you. Why are you hoping?"

The Red Sox have been in discussion with the Phillies for months, but Boston's reported unwillingness to part with either catcher Blake Swihart or outfielder Mookie Betts has prevented talks from moving forward.

While Victorino didn't get into specifics or names of players he would deal for Hamels, he was adamant that he would go for the sure thing any time a deal involving prospects is proposed. 

"That's why they're called prospects," Victorino said. "And I understand the future is important, but for an organization - and anybody, any organization, not just here (with the Red Sox) - I'm going to give up, maybe not everybody, but I'm going to give up two-to-three pieces that I think are necessary for a certain guy. Because it warrants it. This guy is established."

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