Rangers Trade Potential Phillies Target Hamels to Cubs

The Phillies had a scout at the last start Cole Hamels made in Texas, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reported.  So while the Phillies did their due diligence in looking at their former ace, there will not be a Hamels and Phillies reunion in 2018.  Hamels was traded to the Chicago Cubs.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning Star first reported that the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers were in agreement on a trade that sent Hamels to the Windy City.  As the trade was coming together and the Cubs were closing in, some in the industry speculated that the Phillies and Atlanta Braves were possibly involved in trade discussions.  In the end, the trade with Chicago worked out.

Through a stipulation in his contract, Hamels could block trades to all but nine teams.  The Phillies, Mariners, Cardinals, Nationals, Astros, Braves, Royals and Rays were the other destinations besides the Cubs where Hamels could have been dealt, according to Jon Morosi.  Therefore, Hamels is headed to a team to which he cannot block a trade.

Had the Cubs re-signed Jake Arrieta instead of signing Yu Darvish, they may not have had a need for Hamels at all.  Darvish was 1-3 with a 4.95 earned run average before landing on the 10-day disabled list.  Darvish is beginning to throw, but the Cubs really could use reinforcements for now.

The Cubs are 60-42 and in first place in the National League Central.  The Milwaukee Brewers are three games behind at 58-46.  The Cubs hope this trade will help them separate themselves from the Brewers to win the National League Central title and avoid a Wild Card.

Meanwhile, the Phillies tied a franchise record with seven home runs against the Cincinnati Reds to secure a 9-4 victory.  The Phillies gained another game on the Atlanta Braves to be two and a half games ahead in the National League East.  The Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins and remain seven games behind.

The non-waiver trade deadline is Tuesday and the Phillies may be active, despite missing out on the two prominent left-handed starters.