Chicago Cubs trade for 4-time All Star Cole Hamels
With the MLB trading deadline arriving on Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs needed to make a deal. What is Cole Hamels bringing to the table?
It’s no secret that the biggest need for the Chicago Cubs is pitching. They could use a starter and a reliever. This is due to the amount of question marks within both positions. Can Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana be dependable? Will Yu Darvish pitch again this season? Can Brandon Morrow stay healthy for the rest of the season?
Well, we still don’t know the answer to those questions, but president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer added accomplished lefty Cole Hamels from the Texas Rangers, which will certainly help.
The deal is pending a physical, but I see no reason why all players involved won’t pass. Hamels will be a Chicago Cub.
Cole Hamels to the Cubs is done, pending medicals, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2018
Hamels, 34, is 5-9 with a 4.72 era on the season. However, pitching in the summertime in Texas can be rough. Not only is it extremely hot, but the ball flies in the Rangers’ ballpark. So, when you look closely you’ll see that Hamels is 1-7 with a 6.41 era in Texas, while going 4-2 with a 2.93 era on the road. Not bad at all.
Remember, Cole Hamels pitched a no-hitter at Wrigley 3 years ago this week.#Cubs clearly feel he's fixable with some tweaks to pitch selection (i.e., fewer cutters!) https://t.co/LyrlRLNx20
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 26, 2018
light. Related Story. Chicago Cubs: Don’t be afraid to make a big splash trade
Then, you now re-energize him by inserting him into a pennant race and October baseball. Don’t forget that Hamels won a World Series MVP award for going 4-0 with a 1.80 era in the 2008 World Series.
So, the Chicago Cubs are acquiring a pitcher used to throwing a lot of innings and it also adds veteran leadership and postseason experience. That isn’t a bad deal at all for some lower level prospects. Now, Hamels also gets to go back to the National league, which is not quite as brutal as the American League can be for pitchers.
Now, Joe Maddon has a choice to make. Does he use Hamels to replace Tyler Chatwood or does he allow Mike Montgomery to return to the bullpen? That remains to be seen. One thing is for certain, the Chicago Cubs are a better team today than they were yesterday and that’s what is important.
Next. . dark
Even after acquiring Hamels, the next step would be finding a bullpen arm. Epstein still has a few days left to make that happen.