MLB News: Philadelphia Phillies Trade Cole Hamels to Texas Rangers
The Philadelphia Phillies have finally traded Cole Hamels after months of speculations and rumors.
Yahoo Sports reports the 2008 World Series MVP was traded to the Texas Rangers for five prospects, including catcher Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams and pitchers Jake Thompson, Alec Asher and Jerad Eickhoff. Also going to Philadelphia will be pitcher Matt Harrison and left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman.
Hamels, who pitch a no-hitter against the Cubs in his last start, is 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA. With the Phillies having one of the worst records in baseball, a trade was inevitable. With the addition of Hamels, the Rangers are primed to have one of the best starting pitching rotation in the future. With Yu Darvish coming off Tommy John surgery next season and the emergence of Chi-Chi Gonzalez, the Rangers have a dangerous trio of pitchers in their rotation.
But will the Rangers keep Hamels?
Hamels is owed $22.5 million in each of his next three seasons, with the 2019 option totaling $20 million that includes a $6 million buyout. He's owed approximately $8 million for the remainder of the 2015 season, which when you consider his pitching ability, isn't a bad deal.
MLB reports the Rangers have given up five of their 30 top prospects in their organization. The Rangers 47-52 and are five games under .500. They currently sit five games out of the second wild card spot, but five teams are ahead of them. With power hitters, such as Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre, they were expected to compete in the American League West, but injuries and inconsistent play are the reason they sit third in the division.
Although this trade won't help the Rangers this season, the future looks bright for this team.
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