The Washington Nationals are in talks to trade for pitcher Cole Hamels.
MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported on Monday that the Nats have had trade talks with the Texas Rangers about Hamels. One thing that could ease the trade talks is that the Nationals are not on Hamels’ no-trade list.
Hamels is owed over $7 million for the rest of the season and has either a $20 million option or $6 million buyout for 2019. Morosi says the Nats would want the Rangers to help cover some of the money Hamels is owed.
The 34-year-old southpaw has a 4.36 ERA and 1.34 WHIP this season. He’s had a run of poor starts lately that have diminished his trade stock, but he’s still generating interest thanks to his history as a top pitcher.
What could also be driving the Nationals’ interest here is the desire to keep another NL East team from landing Hamels.
