MLB trade rumors: Rangers to deal Cole Hamels soon? Yankees are on the clock

by Felix Pantaleón

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, 2018 (7/31/18). One of the best pitchers on the market is Texas Rangers lefty Cole Hamels. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for starting pitching, with injuries to Masahiro Tanaka and Jordan Montgomery. The Yankees also scouted Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer on Thursday, June 28, 2018 (6/28/18).

If the Yankees want to trade for Texas Rangers southpaw Cole Hamels, they better act soon.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, a Hamels trade could happen sooner rather than later:

Sources: #Rangers groundwork on a Cole Hamels trade has advanced to the point that a deal before the All-Star Game is increasingly possible. @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 29, 2018

Hamels is one of the top pitchers available on the trade market. The 34-year-old left-hander is 4-6 this season with a 3.61 ERA in 16 starts.

That the Yankees would be interested in Hamels wouldn’t exactly qualify as breaking news.

It’s no secret that general manager Brian Cashman is searching for starting pitching before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline

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Cashman is reevaluating his starting pitching after injuries to Jordan Montgomery and Masahiro Tanaka, although he’s pretty much ruled out trading rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres or top outfield prospect Clint Frazier.

George King of the New York Post reported Thursday the Yankees had a scout at the A’s-Tigers game to watch Detroit right-hander Michael Fulmer.

Fulmer and Hamels are part of what’s been called a “weak” trade market for starting pitching, which also includes Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer and Toronto Blue Jays southpaw J.A. Happ.

Cashman won’t be the only GM looking for starting pitching before the trade deadline.

Expect Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to look for an arm, with starters Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz on the disabled list.

Boston visits the Bronx on Friday to open a three-game series with the Yankees.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.