Despite recently falling under .500, the Rangers enter the very end of July just four games back of the Minnesota Twins for the second American League Wild Card spot, and as a result, they pulled off one of the most monumental trades of this year’s trade deadline season. For pitcher Matt Harrison and a handful of minor leaguers, the Rangers were able to lure in Cole Hamels from the Phillies, giving them a legitimate No. 1 at the top of their rotation.
Hamels, 31, debuted for the Phillies in 2006 and has been the team’s ace of the staff through the best and worst of times. The three-time All-Star was a key cog on the Phillies’ 2008 World Series team, where Hamels won MVP awards in both the NLCS and World Series. With the Phillies embarking on a lengthy rebuilding plan, both parties didn’t want Hamels’ career to end on a sputtering franchise with zero to play for. It was a true win-win for both sides.
As for the Rangers, Hamels came with quite a price tag. Top catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams and minor league pitchers Alec Asher, Jake Thompson and Jerad Eickhoff were sent to Philadelphia, not to mention Harrison, a proven left-hander at the Major League level. The deal was described as the Phillies getting “three quarters, two dimes and a nickel” for Hamels, which is a positive thing for a franchise in need of talent in multiple spots.
In a season where the Rangers were projected to have a little difficulty climbing back up the AL West after last year’s disaster, Texas finds itself in the playoff race with 59 games remaining. With secondary market ticket information provided by SeatSmart.com, below are the most expensive Rangers tickets for the upcoming crucial month of August.
8/22/2015 | Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers | Comerica Park | Average Price: $71.84 | Get-in Price: $14
The Tigers went from being the class of the American League Central division to possibly being sellers at the trade deadline. If the Tigers get rid of Yoenis Cespedes, David Price or any of their high-priced, non-controlled players, Detroit Tigers ticket prices may fall by the wayside. For now, this is the most expensive Rangers game in August, and could carry important implications for both teams if the Tigers d
8/8/2015 | Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers | Safeco Field | Average Price: $68.57 | Get-in Price: $23
Seattle has a longer way to go to catch up to the American League Wild Card teams than the Rangers, but baseball history has proven they are not completely out of the running yet. If the Rangers want to make a serious run at one of the spots, they cannot afford to lose many games to teams they are currently better than, like the Mariners.
8/29/2015 | Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles | Globe Life Park | Average Price: $68.35 | Get-in Price: $7 |
The most expensive home game for Texas is when they host the Orioles towards the end of the month. But with a get-in price of $7, it’s a great value deal for fans looking to see playoff quality baseball for that low of a price. The Orioles won the AL East division last year, but find themselves in the same spot as the Rangers, chasing the two Wild Card clubs.
The quirky stat coming from the Hamels trade is that he is the first pitcher in Major League history to be traded during a season after throwing a no-hitter, according to ESPN.