Even before Yu Darvish went down for the season, the Texas Rangers had stayed in communication with the Philadelphia Phillies regarding a Cole Hamels trade. But now with the Rangers ace out for the year, there is an expectation that the two sides will ramp up their discussions in regards to a potential Cole Hamels trade.
The Phillies have dug their heels firmly into the sand regarding a deal, not wanting to give up Hamels for anything less than a multitude of elite prospects. Of course, no team in baseball was willing to meet such a price which has left the southpaw and his albatross of a contract stuck in the City of Brotherly Love.
Might that change though now that the Rangers need an ace on the mound?
Per CBS Sports:
The Rangers are said to have stayed in touch with Philly periodically regarding Hamels, and while a person familiar with their talks suggested “nothing’s fresh” at the moment, it makes too much sense not to step up those discussions. The Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, Padres and others have been tied more frequently to Hamels, but Texas is the team that makes the most sense.
As one competing GM pointed out, the Rangers are a rare team with both the money and the prospects to make it work.
The price won’t be cheap, but Cole Hamels would help offset the loss of Darvish and would give the Texas Rangers one heck of a 1-2 punch next year atop their pitching rotation.
