The Phillies and Red Sox may not be in a huge rush to make a deal involving either Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee, but they’re certainly kicking the tires.
The Boston Globe reported that one of the top advisers to Phillies GM Ruben Amaro was at the Red Sox spring training facility Monday to scout “all of the desirable” players the Phillies might want in return for one of their top veteran arms.
Lee has reportedly thrown the ball well since returning from an elbow injury, but the Red Sox would likely want to see him pitch a few times this spring before heavily pursuing the 36-year-old lefty.
The Phillies are in serious rebuilding mode and would likely ask for prospects in return or even young major league talent such as Xander Bogaerts, but a source told the Globe that hasn’t been offered.
The Red Sox seem content to have Clay Buchholz and Rick Porcello anchoring the top of the rotation, but adding another arm like Hamels or Lee could work wonders as Boston looks to return to its championship form from 2013 after finishing last in the AL East last season with a 71-91 record.