MLB Trade Rumors: Texas Rangers Must Land Cole Hamels to Get over the Hump

The Texas Rangers are rumored to be chasing after a starting pitcher, and Cole Hamels is the ideal player to help the franchise to its first-ever World Series title. 

The Rangers made preliminary calls to both the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers about Cole Hamels and Zach Greinke, respectively, according to T.R. Sullivan and Christian Corona of MLB.com. 

Since the July 8 report of the Rangers’ interest, president Nolan Ryan has downplayed the rumors and claimed that a deal similar to the one the team made in 2010 to acquire Cliff Lee at the trade deadline is unlikely to happen this season, as noted by ESPN Dallas.

Texas has scored the most runs of any team and ranks eighth in baseball in team ERA. The Rangers have been one of the best teams in baseball all season long. 

Yu Darvish has been the team’s ace this season and performed admirably. He is 10-5 with a 3.59 ERA. His 10 wins have him tied for third in the American League. 

But adding another starting pitcher to the rotation would make the team extremely tough to beat in a playoff series. 

The move to add Lee in 2010 fueled the team to its first of two consecutive World Series appearances. After two disappointing losses on the verge of a championship, the Rangers should seriously consider a bold midseason move to ensure that the team goes the distance this year. 

The Phillies have struggled this season and currently sit in last place in the NL East, 14 games back from the Washington Nationals. If Philadelphia does not start to turn its fortunes around soon, it may look to unload some of its stars before the July 31 trade deadline. 

Hamels is the prized piece, and the Phillies will be asking for several prospects in return. ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that they may even want as many as four to five youngsters. 

The Rangers would likely be unwilling to pay that much, but if Philadelphia lowers its price, Texas should pull the trigger.

Even if the Rangers keep him only until the end of the season, the trade would be justified. Hamels was the 2008 World Series MVP for the Phillies, so the 28-year-old has proved that he can pitch well in big games, even if he did not play as well in his next World Series appearance.

A player like Hamels could be the small spark the Rangers need to get back to the World Series.

And win it this time.