As the July 31 trade deadline draws nearer, the Boston Red Sox have been exploring the market for arms, from Zach Britton to Jeurys Familia to Mike Fiers.
According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, we could possibly add two more to that wish list: Texas Rangers lefthander Cole Hamels, and Miami Marlins righthander Dan Straily.
There's a belief that the 34-year-old Hamels will be dealt before the deadline, cemented further perhaps by comments Hamels made earlier in the week to Philly.com's Scott Lauber, in which he said a return to the Phillies -- where he won his first and only World Series title -- "would be a blessing". Cafardo names the Red Sox as "possibly" having interest, and it wouldn't be the first time the they've shown interest in the former World Series MVP and four-time All-Star.
Back in 2015, the Red Sox made a failed bid at the deadline for Hamels, who wound up going to the Rangers. A year later, Hamels told WEEI's Rob Bradford that he wouldn't have invoked his no-trade clause on a deal to Boston.
Hamels is expected to get the ball Monday night against Oakland, amidst a forgettable stretch in which he's 1-2 with a 9.53 ERA over his last four starts.
Elsewhere, Cafardo says the Marlins "feel they can get the Red Sox interested" in Straily, but wonders if they have the assets to get a deal done.
"The Marlins aren't completely enamored by the choices from the Red Sox farm system," Cafardo writes. "There is some sentiment for Blake Swihart but with Christian Vazquez gone until September sometime, the Red Sox may not be able to swing such a deal."
Boston Red Sox
Straily, 29, is 4-4 in 15 starts this season for Miami, with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.