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The rumors were picking up this week and now we have a deal. The Chicago Cubs have traded for left-handed starting pitcher Cole Hamels from the Texas Rangers.
Cole Hamels to the Cubs is done, pending medicals, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2018
Hamels, 34, is 5-9, with a 4.72 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 20 starts for the Rangers this season. He’s allowed 23 home runs in 114.1 innings. So, why in the world would the Cubs want him despite the bad year so far?
Well, Hamels pitches half his games in Texas, that happens to be one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in baseball and the No. 1 park in MLB for home runs.
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Also, the drum I'll keep banging: pic.twitter.com/ZpS5QRQZMJ
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 26, 2018
Plus, there’s enough evidence to show that Hamels can still be good, as his numbers away from Texas have been very good this year.
From the last three years.
Hamels the last 3 years on the road pic.twitter.com/brG3nzXWvu
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) July 26, 2018
Jesse Chavez speaking from experience just how much of a joke the ballpark in Texas is to pitch in.
Jesse Chavez, on Cole Hamels struggles/being a vet: "It does not affect him so he can move on to the next one. That's the beauty of having a guy like that. Look what he's done on the road. I'd take him."
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 26, 2018
Cubs made a "strong push" for Hamels just today hence all the chatter about him. And it is indeed getting close, per source and other reports. Btw, Jesse Chavez likened pitching in Texas to pitching in Cincinnati. Ball flies. Thinks he'll be just fine once he gets out of there.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 26, 2018
Despite those splits we can’t realistically believe Hamels will return to his ace-level form that he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. Yet, the Cubs don’t need him to be an ace, they just need Hamels to give the Cubs quality innings and basically not be Tyler Chatwood.
But hey, if you want to dream about Hamels being this year’s version of Justin Verlander from 2017, then I won’t stop you.
Hamels still has an option in his contract for 2019. That’s worth $20 million, but also includes a $6 million buyout.
