All right, so this is going to be a quick breakdown of the Cole Hamels to Chicago Cubs trade rumors.
It started back in Hamels’ previous start, when several teams were in attendance scouting him. The Cubs were part of the group and one of the teams that aren’t on his no-trade list.
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
Then, today things really picked up as Joel Sherman first reported the following.
Hearing #Cubs are making inroads to try to land Cole Hamels from the #Rangers
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2018
Between rest of salary this yr plus buyout on 2019 option, Hamels owed roughly $14.2M. Hear that if deal with #Cubs goes thru they will pick up about $4M and give up secondary prospects. But NO deal is in place yet, Cubs just more involved than other suitors.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2018
The connection between the Cubs and Hamels didn’t stop there, as more reports came in.
#Cubs in strong pursuit to land Cole Hamels from #Rangers for lower level prospects according to source.
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) July 26, 2018
Sources confirm #Cubs’ pursuit of #Rangers’ Hamels, as first reported by @Joelsherman1. Along with low acquisition cost, this would be CHC’s rationale:
Hamels at home this season: 6.41 ERA, 16 HRs, 59 IP.
Hamels on road: 2.93 ERA, 7 HRs, 55.1 IP.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 26, 2018
There are still several teams in the mix, but according to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are the frontrunners to land him.
Sources: #Cubs appear front-runner for #Rangers’ Hamels, but #Braves remain in mix, as previously noted by @StevePhillipsGM.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 26, 2018
Yet, this is another reminder that there is no such thing as being in first place during the chase of trying to trade for a player. You either get him, or you don’t.
Nonetheless, the Cubs certainly appear serious about their intention to acquire Hamels.
While Cole Hamels to the Cubs makes plenty of sense, it’s time to pump the brakes a bit. Multiple other teams continue to pursue Hamels, sources tell Yahoo Sports. The Cubs are a good fit for a number of reasons, chief among them that they are not on Hamels’ no-trade list.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 26, 2018
Braves also in play for Hamels as @StevePhillipsGM said. Hard to see them coming up with the $ though. Cubs seem likelier if the 2 at the moment.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018
Combined with the remaining salary of his $20 million this season, Hamels still has a $20 million option for 2019, that includes a $6 million buyout.
Just got it in an even stronger way that Hamels to #Cubs has a real chance to be concluded, possibly even today. Chi does not have deep system, but #Rangers just looking to get out of any $, get some prospects. Chi would take on about $4M of $14.2M owed.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2018
At this point, the Cubs just need Hamels to not be Tyler Chatwood. We’ve seen the home/road splits for Hamels and he’s not as bad as the 6+ ERA in Texas and not as good as the sub-3 ERA on the road. If the Cubs do trade for Hamels. they just need quality starts from him and provide some insurance if Yu Darvish isn’t able to contribute this year.
The Cubs are closing in on a deal for Cole Hamels of the Texas Rangers. It is not yet done but it is progressing that way. He will still have to pass a physical as well. @ESPNChiCubs Is also on this story follow him as well for updates. @Joelsherman1 first on this.
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) 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
At the very least Hamels gives you more confidence than trotting Chatwood out every fifth day.
UPDATE
Sources: #Cubs moving toward a Cole Hamels deal that would be centered around lower-level minor-league prospects and salary relief for #Rangers. Something to monitor: Class-A Myrtle Beach right-hander Rollie Lacy was scratched from tonight’s start.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) July 27, 2018
