The logical last piece of this series of posts was to talk about what an actual Cole Hamels trade would look like. If you have not read parts 1-3 (Surplus Value, Valuing Prospects, and The Value of Hamels) I strongly advise you to go back and read them because this will be a continuation of the topics discussed in those pieces. I am going to explore the potential outcomes for a Cole Hamels trade looking at surplus value, how fans value Hamels in a trade, what his value is on the field, and how the Phillies value Hamels in a trade.
The teams that definitely have the money and prospects to be in on Hamels are the Red Sox, Cubs, Rangers, and Dodgers. On the fringes the Pirates, Royals, Diamondbacks, and Blue Jays all have the resources to make a deal happen. There are many factors to a Hamels trade, from his salary, to the “surplus value” he will return, to the rarity of such a pitcher being available on the market. All of these factors go to together, and while some may be objective, the end result will be very subjective.
