The Cubs and Rangers are in agreement on a trade that will send Cole Hamels from Texas to Chicago, reports Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News . Multiple reports had indicated that the two sides were making progress on a deal, as was first indicated by Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports adds the ever-important caveat that the trade is pending medical reviews.
The 34-year-old Hamels isn?t the ace that he once was, and he?s had his share of struggles in 2018 ? albeit nearly all of them coming at his homer-happy home stadium in Arlington. Hamels is surrendering home runs at a career-worst rate, but it?s somewhat telling that 16 of the 23 round-trippers he?s yielded have come at Globe Life Park. Hamels has a 6.41 ERA, a 6.16 FIP and a 4.49 xFIP when pitching at home this season but a 2.93 ERA, 4.17 FIP and 3.83 xFIP on the road.
Early in the season, there was some concern over a decline in Hamels? velocity, but he?s regained nearly all of the lost zip on his heater ? an encouraging sign for he Cubs, who?ll hope that a move to the National League and a more pitcher-friendly stadium will improve Hamels? results. Starting pitching wasn?t supposed to be a significant concern for Chicago after spending a combined $164MM to sign right-handers Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood this offseason. Unfortunately for Theo Epstein & Co., Darvish has been hampered by triceps injuries throughout the season, while Chatwood has alarmingly walked more hitters than any pitcher in baseball.
Chicago will send lower-level prospects to Texas in return.
The 34-year-old Hamels isn?t the ace that he once was, and he?s had his share of struggles in 2018 ? albeit nearly all of them coming at his homer-happy home stadium in Arlington. Hamels is surrendering home runs at a career-worst rate, but it?s somewhat telling that 16 of the 23 round-trippers he?s yielded have come at Globe Life Park. Hamels has a 6.41 ERA, a 6.16 FIP and a 4.49 xFIP when pitching at home this season but a 2.93 ERA, 4.17 FIP and 3.83 xFIP on the road.
Early in the season, there was some concern over a decline in Hamels? velocity, but he?s regained nearly all of the lost zip on his heater ? an encouraging sign for he Cubs, who?ll hope that a move to the National League and a more pitcher-friendly stadium will improve Hamels? results. Starting pitching wasn?t supposed to be a significant concern for Chicago after spending a combined $164MM to sign right-handers Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood this offseason. Unfortunately for Theo Epstein & Co., Darvish has been hampered by triceps injuries throughout the season, while Chatwood has alarmingly walked more hitters than any pitcher in baseball.
Chicago will send lower-level prospects to Texas in return.
