Although neither team confirmed it, multiple media reports late Wednesday indicated that Hamels, left-handed reliever Jake Diekman and cash considerations were headed to the Texas Rangers. TR Sullivan of MLB.com had first reported that the two sides were very close on ironing out a deal.
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In exchange, the Rangers will send the Phillies five of their top prospects, RHP Jake Thompson (#4 on MLB.com’s list, updated early Wednesday morning), outfielder Nick Williams (#5), catcher Jorge Alfaro (#6), RHP Jerad Eickhoff (#17), RHP Alec Asher (#29), and as well as veteran LHP Matt Harrison. Seemingly every team in postseason contention has been rumored to be in on Hamels at some point, but the Rangers have reportedly offered the right price. Expect everything to be finalized and officially announced on Thursday. Mazara was one of the players Texas would not allow be part of the trade, and is one of their top prospects.
Philadelphia Phillies’ starting pitcher Cole Hamels looks on after…
Hamels’ no-hitter on Saturday at Wrigley Field was indeed the final game he pitched in a Phillies uniform for now.
However, sources said that in the case of about half of that group, the Phillies had initiated those talks in an attempt to reopen discussion about players whom those clubs had said previously they’d be unwilling to trade.
Hamels is under contract until 2018 and have an option for 2019. In 17 appearances (16 starts) with Triple-A Round Rock this season, he is 8-4 with a 4.47 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 90 strikeouts in 96.2 innings. Selected in the second round in 2012, the 21-year-old is also at Double-A, where he’s raking to the tune of.300/.357/.480 with 21 doubles, 13 home runs and 10 stolen bases.
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Williams, a 21-year-old left-handed hitter, was the Rangers’ second-round pick in 2012. He may be out for the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in June, but not many catchers possess his combination of power and arm strength.
