The Texas Rangers are looking to trade Cole Hamels and may have a suitor in the Chicago Cubs.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported on Thursday that a trade between the teams could be concluded by the end of the day. He says the Rangers are looking to get out of the money Hamels is owed and get some players in return.
Just got it in an even stronger way that Hamels to #Cubs has a real chance to be concluded, possibly even today. Chi does not have deep system, but #Rangers just looking to get out of any $, get some prospects. Chi would take on about $4M of $14.2M owed.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2018
Hamels, 34, is only 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA this season, which seemingly would not make him very attractive. But the southpaw’s splits are encouraging to teams looking to take a chance on him. As ESPN’s Buster Olney points out, Hamels has a sub-3.00 ERA in road games.
For Cole Hamels, a deal to Cubs now could pay off big-time in the fall, beyond another possible run through October. He'd be going to the NL; to a pitchers' park; and out of the Rangers' park, where he has a 6.41 ERA this season. He has a 2.93 ERA in road games. FA in the fall.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 26, 2018
Hamels is owed the remainder of the $22.5 million he is making this season. He also has a $6 million buyout on his $20 million option for 2019. The Atlanta Braves are also said to be in the mix for Hamels.
