Cubs reportedly want to bring Cole Hamels back

The Chicago Cubs are looking to retain Cole Hamels and may get creative to do so.

Hamels has a $20 million team option for the 2019 season and the team wants to keep him, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal says the Cubs could make a trade to clear salary before picking up the option. He also says a long-term deal between the sides is unlikely.

#Cubs might make a trade to clear salary before picking up Hamels’ $20M option, sources tell The Athletic. At this point, a long-term deal for Hamels is unlikely. If Cubs decline option and make Hamels a free agent, #Rangers will pay his $6M buyout. But goal is to keep him.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 2, 2018

Hamels turns 35 in December, so the Cubs might not want to gamble on him beyond the upcoming season. But he pitched so well for them after he was acquired in a trade that it would be tough not to bring him back.

Hamels went 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts with the Cubs and pitched two scoreless innings in the postseason.