Texas Rangers: Could Cole Hamels Be Traded This July?

The Texas Rangers are focused on stockpiling talent for the 2018 season. Ace Cole Hamels is on a one-year deal and could be headed elsewhere if the 2018 season doesn’t go as planned.

No one can predict how the Texas Rangers 2018 season will play out. Although, the Rangers have added plenty of veterans they could sell off at the trade deadline, if the team is not competing. Is this Cole Hamels last season in Arlington?

The Rangers still have control of Hamels for the 2018 and a team option for 2019. That 2019 season comes with a $20 million salary and a $6 million buyout. Texas could look to get that salary off their books, if they aren’t competitive.

In 2015, the Rangers traded six players for Hamels and lefty reliever Jake Diekman. It was quite a package to give up for Hamels, but the Rangers were going all-in at the time. They won’t get nearly the same return package for 34-year-old Hamels, but better than nothing.

More from Nolan Writin'

The four-time All-Star has done everything the Rangers have asked of him. He suffered injury problems in 2017, but has earned has $23.5 million salary. Texas needs to prepare for the future, and that likely doesn’t involve Hamels.

It all depends on how the 2018 goes for the Rangers. If the organization isn’t competitive, look for guys like Hamels, Matt Moore, Doug Fister, Adrian Beltre, and Elvis Andrus to be on the trade block.

All of those veteran players are on one-year deals or can opt out. Texas can’t afford to lose any players without gaining something in return. Expect Hamels and likely others to be gone in July, if the 2018 season goes sideways.

Home/Texas Rangers News