Red Sox News: Boston one of four "primary suitors" in Cole Hamels trade talks

The Boston Red Sox are one of a handful of teams with a serious chance of landing Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels via a trade prior to the 2015 MLB season, CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury reports.

Per Salisbury, the "primary suitors" for Hamels at this juncture are the Red Sox, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres.

However, according to a source cited by Salisbury, "of the four teams most connected to Hamels, the Red Sox might be most in the background. They added three pitchers — Wade Miley, Rick Porcello and Justin Masterson — last month and seem content to see how that trio improves their fortunes before jumping in full force on Hamels or maybe Lee."

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The Phillies and GM Ruben Amaro are looking for a major haul in return for the four years of control (plus a 2019 option) left on Hamels' deal. Amaro is said to be seeking two of an organization's best prospects plus an MLB-ready talent for Hamels, and also doesn't seem too keen on the idea of eating a large portion of the 31-year-old's current mega-deal.

Hamels went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA in 30 starts last season, posting a 198/59 K/BB ratio in 204.2 innings pitched - his fifth-straight season with 200 innings pitched or more.

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