Red Sox expected to pursue Cole Hamels

With Jon Lester having signed with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox are now in serious need of a No. 1 or No. 2 starting pitcher. If Boston can find a way to replace Lester with Cole Hamels, fans might not know the difference.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Red Sox will now turn their attention toward acquiring Hamels. Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday that he will have to be “wowed” to trade Hamels, so the price could be an issue for the Red Sox.

But if Boston does wind up with Hamels, he should be a viable replacement for Lester. In fact, the similarities between Lester and Hamels are almost uncanny. Both are lefthanders. Hamels, who will turn 31 on Dec. 27, is just 11 days older than Lester. Both Hamels and Lester have made at least 30 starts in each season since 2008. Hamels’ career record is 108-83 with an ERA of 3.27. Lester is 116-67 with an ERA of 3.58. Hamels has a WHIP of 1.14 in his career, while Lester’s is slightly higher at 1.28. Hamels has 1,707 career strikeouts. Lester has 1,457.

One place where Lester gets the nod over Hamels is in the postseason. Lester, one of the most dominant pitchers in playoff and World Series history, has a career ERA of 2.57 in the postseason. Hamels is slightly worse at 3.09, though his 7-4 playoff record is almost identical to Lester’s 6-4.

The major difference is the Red Sox would have had to give up nothing but cash to sign Lester, whereas they’ll have to part with prospects for Hamels. That said, Lester reportedly signed a six-year, $155 million deal with the Cubs. That would make the average annual value of his contract somewhere in the $25-$26 million range. Hamels is owed $22.5 million in each of the next four seasons, and the Phillies have a $20 million club option or $24 million vesting option with him for 2019. His contract is slightly more team-friendly than Lester’s.

We already know how Red Sox veterans like David Ortiz feel about Lester. Would they feel the same way if Boston replaced him with Hamels? We may find out.