Could Nolan Ryan Convince Cole Hamels to Pitch in Houston?

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels has a big fan in Astros executive and strikeout king Nolan Ryan.

With the Astros rotation needing a lift, rumors have connected the American League top team to the Phillies ace. Is having Nolan Ryan in the Cole Hamels fan club a big enough reason to convince to waive his no-trade clause and head to Houston?

"The Astros are definitely interested in Hamels," CBS Sports MLB insider Jon Heyman said.  "They love the idea of Hamels, and Philly is willing to pay down some of that money so it could line up nicely for Houston, but one problem is Cole Hamels has a 20-team no-trade list."

"It hasn't been brought to him yet that Houston is interested, but people close are not sure that he would accept Houston, as is his right - Toronto was brought to him and he said he didn't want to go to Toronto and right now it seems unlikely Hames accept Houston if they were able to get to a deal."

One of the reason Hamels could be skeptical going to Houston is their lack of recent success.  The Astros are playing above their heads a bit right now and are one of the surprise teams in baseball with the best record in the American League.

One advantage the Phillies might have in trying to move Hamels is there is not a great trade market for top-of-the-rotation pitchers so teams should come calling - but the Astros might be one tea, Ruben Amaro Jr. might be forced to hang up on.

WHile the Astros might not be the right fit for Hamels, CSNPhilly's Corey Seidman joined me on the Sports Bash and gave us a couple of teams that might be a better fit for Hamels.