I guess that’s kind of how you have to look at it. It’s the only other experience I can describe.
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The start of the stretch run will begin without Burnett, who made the all-star team for the first time in his 17-year career this summer but has struggled over the last two weeks. He’ll make his first start with the Texas Rangers in Arlington Saturday night.
Hamels is, of course, someone whose reputation – despite pitching his entire career in the National League – precedes him, but in a positive way. Hamels finished the game with 13 K’s and just two walks, his only blemishes on the day. “When I step in between those lines, it’s game on like I’ve done in the past and like I’ll continue to do every fifth day that I possibly can”.
The first move came Tuesday when they sent their franchise leader in saves, Jonathan Papelbon, to Washington. Hamels pitched his first no-hitter of the season, increasing his trade value, and proving he is still an ace.
The Rangers completed their deal to acquire Hamels and left-handed reliever Jake Diekman for left-hander Matt Harrison and five prospects. Williams, Alfaro and Thompson were ranked in the top five of the Rangers system. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he had been discussing a trade with Rangers GM Jon Daniels for Hamels the last 6-8 months before finally reaching an agreement on compensation. “That didn’t have a big effect on how we valued him”. “We think he’s going to impact us in a number of different ways”. At least I know I will. But there are always numerous opportunities in the future.
Amaro – and team president Pat Gillick, who is Amaro’s boss, and future team president Andy McPhail, who takes over in October – apparently didn’t think that market would present itself in the current baseball world.
Noting how many Philadelphia cops were stationed around the park, Burrell cracked, “I was anxious they weren’t going to let Jason Michaels in”. “That to me makes it more special”. Two people familiar with the deal say the Phillies have agreed to trade Hamels to the Texas Rangers for a package of prospects.
“He was a little shocked, for sure, especially what he’s been through the last couple of years with his back”, Andrus said “I don’t think he was expecting that trade”.
“Those guys were three 20-year-olds that had great ceiling, but very, very high risk because they were down lower”, Amaro said of Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies and J.C. Ramirez. “We played some in the minors together”. Philadelphia is the “City of Brotherly Love” and we can not thank you enough for the love that you have shown our family during our time here.
If everything breaks right, in 2017 or so, Alfaro will be an All-Star catcher with power, Williams will be the team’s best regular outfielder since Hunter Pence, Jake Thompson will slide alongside Aaron Nola in the rotation, potentially behind a free-agent ace, and the other two pitchers, Asher and Eickhoff, are on the major league staff somewhere, too. Hamels needed this no-hitter to make up for his last two disastrous games, and to have a chance to increase his trade value. Hamels has a limited no-trade clause but does not have to approve a deal to the Rangers. His contract is only guaranteed through age 34. During his farewell to Philadelphia news conference this afternoon, he said he vetoed a deal to Houston. “We’re losing a guy that a lot of us cared about, and he worked real hard to get back”.
“Being able to accept defeat in a more natural way”, Hamels answered when asked what he learned from the trying 2009 season.
Dallas-Fort Worth was attractive because they have family and friends in the area.
The Phillies made it official on Friday: Cole Hamels has been traded to the Texas Rangers. “He is pretty old and they want to get some younger players, and it is sad that he left because he was really good”, said Ryan Baumiester of Pottstown. Talking about his time in Philadelphia, Hamels said “I’ve just tried to be myself”.
Hamels didn’t rule out a return to Philadelphia at some point, saying he would try to “go as long as Jamie Moyer” in his own career. But he said he was in a holding pattern like everyone else. These are not easy.
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One thing Amaro wouldn’t shed new light on: Hamels shooting down a trade to Houston, though, he did say: “Cole earned the right to decide where he wants to go”.
