MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Info on Cole Hamels, Aroldis Chapman and More
The Cole Hamels watch has been kicked into high gear. Per ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, the Philadelphia Phillies have asked every team interested in the left-hander to submit their best trade offers by Wednesday.
The group of teams looking to acquire Hamels is a big one. Per Stark it includes the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
It seems inevitable that Hamels will be dealt somewhere. Per Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia, Hamels won't pitch on Thursday as originally scheduled. That's the normal procedure for a pitcher who is likely going to be dealt soon.
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In his last start, Hamels no-hit the Cubs—one of his potential suitors—at Wrigley Field. There's no doubt the Phillies want to make sure Hamels doesn't get hurt, but also that his no-no is the last performance he gives before the deal takes place.
Aroldis Chapman
Per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Arizona Diamondbacks have talked to the Cincinnati Reds about the availability of closer Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman has perhaps the most dominating stuff in the game with his 100 mph fastball. As closers go, there's hardly anyone on his level. Arizona trails the San Francisco Giants by 6.5 games for the last National League wild-card spot.
Acquiring Chapman would jump-start the Diamondbacks bullpen and improve the team's chances of making a move in the playoff race. That said, general manager Dave Stewart may not be prepared to give up the prospects the Reds will demand.
Rangers Looking for Pitching
The Rangers are one of the teams interested in Hamels, but according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, Texas is also actively looking at the San Diego Padres' Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner.
Both Ross and Cashner would be a significant downgrade from Hamels, but they would add depth to the Rangers staff. Ross and Cashner are both just 28 years old, and each has been pretty solid for a struggling Padres team.
Ross is 6-8 with an ERA of 3.45 and his WHIP is 1.39. Cashner is 4-10 with an ERA of 3.93 and a WHIP of 1.31
It's unclear whether San Diego would be willing to give up both pitchers, or if each would be headed to Texas. If the Rangers were able to swing a deal for both pitchers, it would give them one of the best rotations in the American League West.
