Chicago Cubs Trade Rumors: Javier Baez, Starlin Castro Offered To Philadelphia Phillies In Cole Hamels Trade
Chicago Cubs trade rumors have the team offering Javier Baez and Starlin Castro to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Cole Hamels. These Cubs trade rumors certainly indicate that the team is ready to make a big splash before the MLB trade deadline, and the front office is willing to give up the assets to make it happen. A report from CBS Sports confirm that the trade offer has been made by the Cubs, but the Phillies “are not enthralled with either player.”
The Cubs want to acquire a starting pitcher who won’t be considered a rental, and it seems Hamels would be the perfect acquisition in that regard. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Hamels earns $23.5 million a season from 2015-2018. In the 2019 MLB season, he has a $20 million team option that becomes vested at $24 million if he pitches 400 innings over the 2017 and 2018 MLB seasons. It means that the team could have control of him for four more years after this one, which might really entice the Cubs.
With the cost attached to Cole Hamels, these Chicago Cubs trade rumors might shock some fans. Javier Baez is still a highly-touted prospect in the minor leagues, although he has been dealing with injuries this season. He played 104 games at Triple-A Iowa in 2014, hitting.260 with 23 home runs and 80 RBIs. Baez got a promotion for those efforts, but only hit.169 in 213 at-bats for the Cubs. He showed flashes of power, but the 21-year-old still needed more work.
Starlin Castro is in his sixth season with the Cubs, and he has a career.279 batting average. He is hitting just.239 this season, though, and his OPS has dropped to.582. Still, he has been an All-Star three times and has shown an ability to hit for average. He is under contract through the 2020 MLB season with escalating salaries until that point. Castro makes $6.8 million this season and $9.8 million in 2015. Castro comes with as much team control as Baez.
On the surface, this is a deal that would give the Philadelphia Phillies a brand new middle infield if that is what the front office wants. With the struggles that both players have had, it is also unsurprising that the team hasn’t been too receptive to the offer. What these Chicago Cubs trade rumors do predict is that the team is going to make a move before the July 31 trade deadline. They are set on trying to acquire Cole Hamels, and it’s possible the team might have the best offer on the market so far.
[Image Source: Rich Pilling/Getty Images]
