Houston Astros Making 'Big Push' For Cole Hamels: Report

Days before the Major League Baseball trade deadline, the Houston Astros are still looking to improve the team’s pitching staff. The Astros are reportedly “making a big push” for Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels despite the team’s recent acquisition of Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics last week.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reported the Astros' interest in Hamels on Twitter, but noted that Houston is on the pitcher's "no-trade" list, meaning a deal with Houston would require a special OK from Hamels.

The #Astros remain in the thick of the Cole Hamels bidding, even after Kazmir trade. They're making big push, source says.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 28, 2015

#Astros and #Dbacks are both on Hamels' no-trade list. It will be interesting to see what happens if they make best offers.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 28, 2015

According to the report, Hamels has agreed in advance to join only the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs. Besides Houston, other teams rumored to be interested or monitoring the Hamels situation are the Cubs, Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox.

The Phillies currently have the worst record in the league, with 37 wins and 63 losses. Hamels has publicly demanded a trade in recent months. He signed a six-year $144 million contract with the Phillies in 2012.

Meanwhile, the Astros are second in the American League West standings with a 55-45 win-loss record. Adding Hamels, who recently showed top pitching form with a no-hitter against the Cubs last Saturday, would give Houston a big boost to its starting rotation.