Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies has reportedly agreed to waive his no-trade clause within his contract if he were to be traded to the Texas Rangers. He also used one of his 20 exemptions to exclude the Houston Astros as a potential future team. Evan Grant, SportDayDFW.com writer, confirmed this. The Rangers have had periodic ongoing discussions with the Phillies regarding Hamels going back to last season. Hamels is a lefty with a 5-5 record and a 2.96 ERA, a three-time All Star, and has finished in the top 10 of NL Cy Young voting four times. He is a true ace, which is something the Rangers do not have currently with Yu Darvish out for the season.
The question is what would the Rangers have to give up to get him, and just how costly would that be to the franchise. Reports are that at the very least Jorge Alfaro the team’s prize catching prospect would be most likely be required. Prior to the recent promotions of Joey Gallo and Chi Chi Gonzalez, they would have been the price tag. There are numerous challenges in obtaining Hamels, at the top of the list is that he is due almost $80 million on his contract through 2018, with the average value of $23.5 million per year. The team already has $135 million for 2015, making it highly unlikely that the team would reach nearly $160 million in payroll going forward. That would mean giving up more players so that the Phillies would be willing to eat some of that salary.
Keep in mind Matt Harrison, Martin Perez, and Derek Holland are all due back, but probably not all of them before the trade deadline, or soon enough to make a difference in a trade package. Ideally, the Rangers might make a trade of Alfaro and either Perez or Holland for Hamels and some salary consideration, but those guys are just not going to be back in time to build up value. Another issue is that the Rangers need is clearly bullpen help, and more bullpen help. While they have a plethora of starting pitching today, we have seen how little it takes for too much to change overnight into not enough.
Philadelphia needs help, they want youth, and Hamels is one of their biggest chips, so they will want to maximize the value they get for their ace. The Rangers have a ton of depth in the minors, and I am sure a package could be assembled.
However, is that really in the best interest of the club? If you were Daniels would you trade Jake Thompson, Perez, and another player to get Hamels? Is there anyone that is off the table? Would you trade Chi Chi, and Alfaro for him? How about Joey Gallo and soon to be coming outfielders in Nomar Mazara or Nick Williams, or how about Roughned Odor or Hanser Alberto?
Whatever the case the Rangers need to make some effort at improving the bullpen, which is a glaring need so it seems certain that John Daniels is looking to make some moves. It is nearly July, so the trade rumors will be swirling, and certainly, Hamels is a go-to guy if the team makes the playoffs. What they have to avoid is pulling a screw up as Billy Beane did last year, when he traded their best player for a starting pitcher. That messed up the clubhouse, took away their hottest bat, and ended their season sooner than it should have.
My dad used to say that a hitter was always worth more than a pitcher because the hitter plays every day and a starter only one in five days. For years, the entire Ranger franchise languished with too little pitching, no quality starters, and in fact couldn’t even get a free agent to consider signing with them. Now they have what some would consider an abundance, it would be a shame if that were to mess up what they have working.
The combination of Colby Lewis, Wandy Rodriguez, Nick Martinez, Chi Chi Gonzales, and Gallardo just set a franchise record for most consecutive quality starts. Which begs the question, is that a fluke, or are these guys for real? Can you count on these same guys for the stretch run in the final 3-months of the season and beyond? What will the franchise do once Holland, Harrison, and Perez are ready to return? Certainly, there is no need for 8-starting pitchers, but there is a need for a true staff ace. Personally, I have coveted seeing Hamels in a Ranger uniform for over a year. Affording him is one problem, but giving up to much to get him is another. Are the Rangers really contenders, or is this stretch of wins just a fluke and the team about to return to what we saw in April? One thing is certain, if the bullpen is not solidified the team is going nowhere.
I have heard and read some saying trade Elvis, trade Beltre. To those folks, I have to wonder if you know anything about this team at all or if you have even watched them play. Yes, Elvis is erratic at times, and Beltre is getting older, but it is clear that they are the heart and soul of this team. They are the Yoenis Céspedes of the A’s that Billy Beane traded last year. If the Rangers want to write this season off, then go ahead and dump those guys, but I will guarantee you that would do much more harm in the long run.
For the record, I would find a way to make the trade, but would not give away the farm, or break the bank to do it. Also, the sweepstakes to get him will involve the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and others all trying to snag that ace. Of those teams, only the Cubs have as much to offer as the Rangers do in terms of young almost major league ready talent.
The next few weeks will sure be interesting!