This is a very good thing
The Yankees have already acquired a new pitcher in Brandon McCarthy, but with an unproven option like Shane Greene in the rotation, it's not crazy to think that Brian Cashman is still looking for a way to add another starter. The Phillies are expected to be sellers at the deadline, and while Cliff Lee and A.J. Burnett are more likely to be dealt, the Yankees could target Cole Hamels in a potential deal.
Hamels still has $90 million owed to him over the next four years, so the Phillies really don't have a reason to trade him just yet, but if he were suddenly put on the market, the Yankees would have at least one advantage working for them. The lefty ace has a 20-team no-trade clause and it appears that the Yankees are not on it:
Cole Hamels can be traded to LAD, LAA, STL, WAS, ATL, NYY, BOS, TEX, SD without his permission, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 8, 2014If we go through these nine teams, it's unlikely that the Red Sox, Rangers or Padres will look to acquire him this year as all three are likely out of contention for the 2014 season. If, and that's still a very big IF, the Phillies do put him on the trading block, the Yankees only have to compete with five other teams, and while most of them could offer better prospects, New York can eat more money off his contract. I would trade any prospect the Yankees currently had in their system if it got them a 30-year-old Cole Hamels. Imagine a rotation of Tanaka, Hamels, Kuroda, Pineda, whoever. Keep in mind, though, that he'll more than likely stay in Philadelphia for a little while longer.