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Texas Rangers: Cubs Heavily Linked with Cole Hamels

By Kenneth Nash |
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 23: Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 23: Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Just as I was starting to worry, reports have broken that the Cubs are interested in Texas Rangers lefty, Cole Hamels.

Joel Sherman, MLB Network Insider, tweeted out Thursday afternoon that the Chicago Cubs are looking at making a move for Texas Rangers lefty, Cole Hamels.

The Cubs are not on Hamels no trade list meaning he does not have to waive his no trade clause for a deal to be done. This significantly decreases the barriers to a move being made and also helps ensure that the Rangers won’t have to worry about covering a big portion of his 2019 team option.

Sherman graciously went on to tweet out what the potential deal was shaping up to look like.

At this point, the Rangers are really just looking to offload Hamels for whatever they can get as his value has diminished greatly and Texas isn’t in any position to compete. If the Rangers can get rid of Hamels paying about $10 million of his remaining $14.2 million that seems like a great option for the Rangers. Sherman makes note that no deal is done, but the fact that there are details this specific means progress is being made.

Detailing the Specifics of a Deal

Unfortunately, Hamels doesn’t carry tons of value to this point. However, the Rangers could still net some solid return for the former All-Star. As Sherman notes, any deal would net “secondary prospects” for Texas. They’d probably look to get two guys back in return and undoubtedly one will be a pitcher.

RHP Cory Abbott

Abbott is 22 year old righty that was the 2nd round draft pick of the Cubs in 2017. At 6’2″ and 210 lbs. he has the build of a durable back end rotation starter. He has a deceptive delivery according to MLB Prospect Watch who rank him as the 19th prospect in the Cubs system. His top pitch is his cutter which he pairs with above average control. He would be a great headline to a deal for Hamels.

RHP Erling Moreno

Moreno, 21, has seen his stock drop a bit in 2018 as he’s struggled with soreness that caused him to miss the first couple of months of the season. Currently with Single-A South Bend, it’s still unknown whether he could be a major league starter. He has the potential to be an effective middle relief arm but he has to show that he can stay healthy long term. MLB Prospect Watch has him as the 26th prospect in the Cubs system.

At this point any deal for Hamels will help the Rangers as they desperately would like to get some return for the lefty.

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