Report: Rangers, Dodgers "likely favorites" to trade for Cole Hamels

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark writes:

"The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged over the weekend as the likely favorites to trade for Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels," though "sources say they would be surprised if a trade was completed before Tuesday."

Cole Hamels has long been coveted by the Rangers front office, and, along with Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Martin Perez, would potentially be part of one of baseball's elite starting rotations going forward. 

The problem is manufacturing a trade that makes sense for both parties. Per Keith Law, the Dodgers and Rangers possess 4 of MLB's top 6 prospects -- Corey Seager (#1), Julio Urias (#4), Joey Gallo (#5) and Nomar Mazara (#6) -- none of which are presumed to be available in a Hamels trade. 

While Los Angeles have the game's best prospect duo, the Rangers probably make more sense as a trade partner for Philadelphia, because so much of its second-tier prospect talent is closer to reaching the big leagues. Chi Chi Gonzalez and Jake Thompson are both expected to be part of a big league rotation in 2016, Nick Williams is on the fast track to being a regular contributor as early as next summer, and a package centered around two of those three seems like a natural place to start.