Texas Rangers trade rumors have the team picking up a huge arm for their rotation. Left-handed starter Cole Hamels is said to be headed to Texas as soon as Thursday. MLB.com writer T.R. Sullivan has tweeted that the Philadelphia Phillies and the Rangers are close to a deal that would send Hamels to Texas.
Rangers are getting close to getting Hamels…. Sources are say two sides are almost there to a deal…. Not tonight but Thursday
— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) July 30, 2015
Rumors of a Hamels trade have been floating around for over a year as many teams have tried to acquire the star pitcher, but have been unwilling to meet the Phillies’ demands. As reported on earlier at the Inquisitr, the New York Yankees inquired about Cole last week but were unwilling to part with their top prospects Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, or Luis Severino. Hamels still has three years left on his contract after this season for a total of $70 million with a team option for 2019 for $20 million. The option for 2019 remains with the team because the Rangers were on Hamels’ pre-approved list of places he would accept a trade to.
Hamels’ numbers have dipped a little this season, but they are still decent. He has 6-7 record with an earned run average of 3.64. Hamels has 137 strikeouts in 128 2/3 innings pitched. He tossed a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday in what appears to be his final game in a Phillies uniform.
The Rangers will likely send catcher Jorge Alfaro as part of a package to the Phillies according to CSN Philly writer Jim Salisbury.
I believe the Phils will get Alfaro the catcher. Not Gallo or Mazara. Others coming too
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) July 30, 2015
FOX Sports writer Jon Paul Morosi is reporting that the Phillies will also get pitcher Jerad Eickhoff, outfielder Nick Williams, pitcher Alec Asher, pitcher Jake Thompson and Matt Harrison. The Phillies will also send reliever Jake Diekman to the Rangers.
UPDATED: #Rangers get Hamels, Diekman, cash; #Phillies get Alfaro, Williams, Eickhoff, Asher, M. Harrison and one more player, per source.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2015
Texas is in third place in the American League West, eight games behind the Los Angels Angels. The Rangers are just 4 1/2 games out of the second wild card spot but they have five other teams ahead of them. This is a deal for 2016 and beyond for the Rangers. They have added an ace whose salary is good when compared to the salaries of other aces. Next year the rotation will feature the one/two punch of Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels with Derek Holland, Martin Perez and Chi Chi Gonzalez to follow.
As for the Phillies they will try to rebuild around the package they get from the Rangers and try to move some remaining parts before the Friday trade deadline. Philadelphia has already moved Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals and now will look to jettison the contracts of guys like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.
Do you think the Texas Rangers made a good deal to get Cole Hamels?
[Image by David Banks/Getty Images]