Jake Thompson, Jorge Alfaro and More to Phillies: Trade Details, Scouting Report

Following weeks of speculation, the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to trade Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a package of prospects that includes pitcher Jake Thompson, catcher Jorge Alfaro, right-handed pitcher Jerad Eickhoff, outfielder Nick Williams and right-handed pitcher Alec Asher, according to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant. 

The Phillies will also reportedly send cash and reliever Jake Diekman to the Rangers in the blockbuster while receiving veteran pitcher Matt Harrison from Texas. 

While Philadelphia agreed to eat Harrison's salary in the deal—he's owed $13 million in each of the next two seasons before the Phillies are presented with a club option worth $13.2 million in 2018, per Spotrac—they did so with a clear agenda. 

Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan explained: 

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal provided an overview of the key players' prospect rankings: 

For the Phillies, this was all about replenishing their depleted talent pool. Baseball Prospectus graded the team's farm system 20th overall prior to the season, and the team occupied that spot thanks in part to their short-sighted acquisition of Hunter Pence at the 2011 trade deadline. 

But now the Phillies have flipped that script. This time around, they dealt a highly sought-after commodity for a handful of prospects who could help stabilize the team's long-term outlook. 

The right-handed Thompson is regarded as the best player Philadelphia nabbed in the deal, and for good reason. 

According to MLB.com, "Thompson has a classic starter's build that should give him durability and allows him to pitch on a tough downhill plane. He throws a decent amount of strikes but still is refining his command. He's a good bet to become a No. 3 starter and has a chance to become a No. 2."

So far this season with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, Thompson has gone 6-6 with a 4.72 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 87.2 innings. 

Then there's Alfaro, who was an essential add for the Phillies. With Carlos Ruiz set to turn 37 in January and the team in need of a long-term solution behind the plate, Philadelphia needed insurance.

Alfaro can provide that, even if his bat is boom-or-bust at the plate, as Passan noted: 

Prior to going down with a season-ending ankle injury in June, Alfaro batted .253 with five home runs and 21 RBI while striking out 61 times.

"Last year was the first year he played an entire year without getting hurt," Rangers catching instructor Hector Ortiz said June 13, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. "This year we were hoping for the same thing. I feel for the kid. Every time he gets hurt, it's something bad. It's never minor."

During his time in Single-A with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans throughout the 2014 season, Alfaro recorded 127 hits and 123 strikeouts. That production speaks directly to the inconsistencies Passan outlined. 

In terms of stability at the plate, Williams is on the opposite end of the spectrum. In 412 plate appearances with the RoughRiders this season, the outfielder has racked up 113 hits, 45 RBI and 13 home runs while batting an even .300.

"Williams' lightning-fast hands and his strength allow him to drive almost any pitch he can reach," MLB.com wrote. 

The 21-year-old still has room to improve, but he tentatively projects as an everyday outfielder for a team that ranks 12th in the National League in batting (.249).   

Eickhoff and Asher are the other two pieces, and they'll provide the Phillies with some peace of mind as they attempt to craft their rotation over the next few years. The 25-year-old Eickhoff is imposing at 6'4" and 240 pounds, and his fastball packs some serious heat as it oscillates between 91 and 95 MPH, per MLB.com.  

Asher's another hard thrower, but he's struggled just a bit with Triple-A Round Rock Express so far this season after making the transition from Double-A Frisco. In 64.2 innings with Round Rock, Asher has compiled a 4.73 ERA and struck out 54 while walking 19.  

All in all, it was a solid haul for Philadelphia, as CSN Philly's Corey Seidman opined: 

The Phillies needed to sell high on Hamels, and they did. By extracting a few highly touted prospects from the Rangers, Philadelphia was able to start laying the groundwork for a rebuild that's sorely needed. 

Thompson and Alfaro may very well wind up being the prizes a few years down the line, but don't be surprised if Williams makes his move up to the big club sooner rather than later with a chance to cement his place as one of the team's steadiest hitters.