Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros are the latest team to enter the Cole Hamels sweepstakes, and this makes sense for a couple of reasons. The Astros are a top-of-the-line starting pitcher away from making a serious run at the AL West, title and the Hamel fits that description. Also, Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has often traded with the Astros in the past, and now that the team is in the AL, a successful Hamels in the opposite league would lessen the blow than if the Phillies had to see him more often.
The Phillies want to trade Hamels, the Astros have the talent to offer in return, and the lefty would solve the issues the Astros have had with starting pitching. Hamels has a World Series MVP trophy on his mantle, and that’s the kind of experience which could lead to a deep playoff run for the Astros, who have never won a World Series since coming into the league in 1962.
So far this season, Hamels has made 12 starts for the Phillies. He has a 5-4 record, a 2.88 ERA, and a 1.107 WHIP. Hamels routinely makes it deep into ball games, and could pitch a lot of innings for Houston. He is also coming off a season where he posted an ERA of just 2.46 over 30 starts. His salary is at $23.5 million through the 2018 MLB season.
The Astros certainly could afford Hamels both financially, and their farm system is deep enough that they can offer the Phillies a package better than those of suitors like the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. The Phillies have what the Astros need and the Astros seem willing to pay the price. That is how good deals are finalized.
Mike Gibson is a Phillies writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
