The Chicago Cubs aren’t sure when or how Yu Darvish will pitch after his triceps injury and even if he’s back to his all-star form the team would be completely fine having too many starters on the roster. It’s a good problem to have and as a contingency plan to Darvish, the team has been scouting a handful of starters.
The latest is yet another rental, as the Cubs had scouts taking a closer look at left-hander Cole Hamels. The Cubs are one team that Hamels can’t block a trade to.
Among teams repped here at Hamels' start:
Teams he can't block trade to: Atlanta, Cubs, Nats, Phils
Teams he can block trade to: Yankees, D'Backs
Safe to assume there has been a level of conversation between Rangers and all teams here.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) July 24, 2018
The list of interested teams is long and for anyone interested a trade for Hamels would mean a couple things.
For starters, Hamels is making $20 million this season and would have about $7 million owed to him after a trade. Plus, the lefty has a $20 million option for 2019, that comes with a $6 million buyout.
So, the money is always an area to look at, especially when dealing with the luxury tax. If the Cubs, or any team, make a deal for Hamels you could see money added in, and if not that means a financial risk that may or may not be worth it.
Why may that risk not be worth it? Well, although Hamels is a four-time all-star and has postseason success, he’s no longer the ace he once was with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Hamels, 34, has a 4.72 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 20 starts with the Rangers this season. However, if you look at the home/road splits, there is some hope that Hamels can still provide a spark.
In 10 starts away from Texas, Hamels has a 2.93 ERA in 55.1 innings, compared to a 6.41 ERA at the Globe Life Park in Arlington.
One last note. Back in 2014, the Cubs claimed Hamels off waivers from the Phillies, but no trade was ever worked out. Hamels was eventually dealt to the Rangers at the deadline in 2015. Since then, Hamels has a 3.90 ERA in 88 starts with Texas.
