2015 MLB Trade Deadline: Latest News and Twitter Buzz on Cole Hamels

The 2015 trade deadline is looming, and starting pitchers are in high demand. Many big names are available, and there’s always a surprise name or two dealt when everything shakes out. Perhaps the biggest, most-talked-about name, however, is Cole Hamels.

The trade season kicked off Thursday when, according to Ken Rosenthal, the Oakland Athletics shipped Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros for a pair of minor leaguers, potentially opening the door for other deals. Acting fast may be the way to go, as many believe the starting pitching market to be overcrowded.

The market for starting pitchers this year is unique. With so many teams still in the playoff race, there would seem to be more teams looking for quality arms. However, many big names are available, which is potentially flooding the market.

That potential flooding of the market is particularly bad news for the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia has been holding out on dealing valuable veterans like Hamels in hopes of landing a huge haul.

Houston Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow told Joel Sherman of The New York Post that the market may quickly go from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market.

“It could flip,” Luhnow said of the market prior to making the move to acquire Kazmir. “The buyers could get the leverage. I think it is going to be a late-developing market.”

Pitcher	Innings Pitched	ERA	WHIP	Quality Starts
Johnny Cueto	122.2	2.79	0.95	11
Cole Hamels	119.2	3.91	1.25	12
David Price	140	2.31	1.09	15
Jeff Samardzija	140.1	3.91	1.19	12
Julio Teheran	120.1	4.49	1.37	10

While Hamels may be the most desirable name out there due to long-term team control, he’s not the only potential ace. Names like David Price and Julio Teheran may be more attractive to potential suitors.

While Teheran hasn’t pitched particularly well, he offers a very team-friendly contract and has youth on his side. Price, while destined for free agency at the end of the year, has pitched well this season and could command a lesser price than Hamels solely due to controllability.

Of the top names available, Hamels has the second-highest ERA and the fewest innings pitched. He certainly hasn’t helped himself or the Phillies, posting a 5.56 ERA since the beginning of June.

Hamels labored in his July 10 start at San Francisco, needing 88 pitches to record just 10 outs while allowing 12 hits and two walks in the loss to the Giants. He also allowed nine runs, including four on this grand slam to former teammate Hunter Pence. 

Part of Hamels' struggles appear to be just bad luck. Since June 8, Hamels has allowed nine walks in seven starts. Hardly out of the ordinary.

It's Hamels' 51 hits allowed in 38.1 innings that have hurt him most, but some of that can likely be attributed to a .408 BABIP, suggesting a return to the mean is likely. 

Here’s what’s being said on Twitter about Hamels.

Long thought to be a future Dodger, Hamels is reportedly being talked about by the Cubs, who certainly have the ammo needed to pull off a big deal.

Twitter user @Johnny_Smo speculated about Hamels' first potential start as a Cub if a deal is made.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported that many clubs seem to prefer the idea of a “rental” rather than the long-term contract Hamels come with. Therefore, a deal with the Cubs would make sense given their offseason deal with Jon Lester and the opening of their playoff window.

Team	Innings Pitched	Record	ERA	WHIP
Brewers	87	7-3	3.62	1.13
Cardinals	76.1	3-4	3.07	1.04
Pirates	63	3-2	2.43	0.93
Reds	96.1	9-1	1.96	0.98

As for potential fit, Hamels sports a career ERA of 3.00 at Wrigley, although that’s just in four starts and most of his runs allowed there came back in 2006. What’s more important is how Hamels has fared against the rest of the NL Central.

Hamels' numbers against the non-Cub-NL Central teams are certainly something for Cubs' fans to drool over. He boasts an impressive 2.76 ERA against the rest of the Central in his career.

Prediction

Hamels to the Cubs seems like a really good fit. Possibly even better than the Dodgers. Los Angeles obviously has the funds to burn on whomever they so choose, but it’s less likely they’ll be willing—or able—to offer the Phillies a package of prospects as lucrative as the Cubs can. 

In six starts against NL Central teams this season, Hamels has five quality starts, a 2-1 record, a 2.63 ERA and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. 

Hamels struck out 12 batters in seven innings against the Pirates on June 14, continuing his dominance over the NL Central. In his career, Hamels owns a 22-10 record against teams other than the Cubs in the central. 

The 12 strikeouts were the most for Hamels this season.

With special regards to Luhnow’s statement, the Phillies best offer may come sooner rather than later. With Kazmir already off the market, the Phillies may want to strongly consider being the second major starting pitching domino to fall.

All stats and info courtesy of Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.

Follow Aaron Brand on Twitter @AaronBrand47