Anthony Mazziotti
Cole Hamels could be one of the bigger names on the trade market before the All-Star Game in July, according to John Morosi.
Sources: #Rangers groundwork on a Cole Hamels trade has advanced to the point that a deal before the All-Star Game is increasingly possible. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 29, 2018
Hamels, who has a 4-6 record on the season with a 3.61 ERA, 97 strikeouts and a 1.27 WHIP. For comparison – Jake Arrieta has a 5-6 record with a 3.54 ERA, 59 strikeouts and a 1.27 WHIP.
While a reunion with Hamels would be an incredible story and make a lot of fans happy, it isn’t exactly the best fit at this point in time. Think about it, where would he fit in this rotation? Nola is one of the best pitchers in the National League, Jake Arrieta just got paid and Zach Eflin is coming off a sensational month of June. Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta round out the rotation and both have shown flashes of dominance. Pivetta, who’s nine years younger than Hamels, has a 4.06 ERA, a 4-6 record, 101 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP. Velasquez is sitting with a 5-8 record, a 4.69 ERA, 104 strikeouts and a 1.27 WHIP.
My instinct is to say that Hamels doesn’t fit and that Phillies fans should stop thinking with their hearts and start thinking with their brains. Plus, who knows what it would cost to bring Hamels back to Philly and I would hate to see the Phillies part with top prospects for a 34 year old pitcher. I would think that if the Phillies were to make a move they would do something that would improve the bullpen.
With all of that in mind, I think the Phillies should trade for Cole Hamels.
I know, I just went on about how he didn’t fit and could cost too much. Hear me out:
Luckily for the Phillies, Hamels isn’t having his best statistical season. Despite being a seasoned lefty, which is valuable to any lineup, he isn’t 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels. The Phillies need a left handed starter and I see no better option than Cole Hamels, especially with the Rangers ready to make a deal.
As far as prospects go, I would offer up players like Roman Quinn or Dylan Cozens. Quinn, who is injury prone, is a speedy player who is blocked from the big leagues by Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, Aaron Altherr and in this case Rhys Hoskins. Cozens, a power bat could be intriguing for the Rangers as a designated hitter. I would go as far as to throw in a pitcher like Tom Eshelman who was a dark horse candidate to make the 25 man roster last season.
If the Phillies can come to a deal with Cole Hamels where they don’t have to deal a top prospect that would be huge. In a perfect world Hamels would come in and Velasquez would, finally, make a move to the bullpen where I think he can thrive. I know Velasquez is trying to stick as a starter, but he is too volatile as a starter to warrant a spot in the rotation. If he can find success in the bullpen the Phillies would have a perfect win-win scenario where they sure up the starting rotation and strengthen the bullpen.
While trading for Hamels looks like fitting the square peg into the circle hole at first glance, it could set this team up for a late season push into the wildcard and possibly the divisional round. I’d welcome Hamels back with open arms.
You can follow Anthony Mazziotti on Twitter (@AntMazziotti) and e-mail him at [email protected].
Follow Philly Influencer on Twitter (@PHL_Influencer), Facebook and Instagram.