

The Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox are linked by more than just Jonathan Papelbon’s craziness.

The Phillies are doing background work on Red Sox prospects Christian Vazquez, Mookie Betts and Matt Barnes, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday. This doesn’t mean a trade is in the works, but, as Rosenthal notes, these are the types of prospects Philadelphia likely would pursue in exchange for ace Cole Hamels.

The Phillies reportedly have scouted the Red Sox extensively in the past, so it should come as no surprise that Philadelphia is continuing its homework into the offseason. Hamels has been the subject of trade rumors for a while, and the Red Sox seem like a potential match given their desire to land starting pitching and their abundance of appealing prospects.

It’s unclear whether Boston would consider dealing any of the aforementioned farmhands, though. Rosenthal adds that the Red Sox seem disinclined to move Vazquez or fellow catching prospect Blake Swihart, while Betts “seems untouchable” after an impressive big league arrival in 2014.

In any event, the Phillies sound like a team that’s ready to rebuild. Trading Hamels might be the best means to that end. The left-hander, who turns 31 next month, is a legitimate No. 1 starter who could become even more appealing once Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and/or James Shields sign with teams in free agency.

The Red Sox reportedly are on Hamels’ no-trade list, meaning the three-time All-Star would need to approve a trade to Boston. This might require the Red Sox — or any other team on Hamels’ no-trade list — to pick up the southpaw’s $20 million option for 2019.

Hamels currently is slated to earn $90 million over the next four seasons.

Thumbnail photo via Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports Images