MLB trade rumors: Price dropping for Yankees, Phillies on Rangers’ Cole Hamels?

Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels hasn’t pitched at a high level. That could lessen the trade cost for teams like the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies as the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver deadline approaches.

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Cole Hamels isn’t what he’s been advertised to be.

The former World Series MVP and top-of-the-rotation lefty has been talked about as a midseason veteran arm that could propel a contender into bigger things down the stretch and in October.

But the numbers–and Hamels’ value on the market–tell a different story.

As the sport gets set for the second half, a slew of trades will go down involving juggernauts (Red Sox, Yankees, Astros) trying to improve and contenders (Phillies, Braves, Brewers) trying to add one more piece to reach October.

Hamels will likely be dealt, but not for as much as the Rangers had likely hoped.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Hamels’ issues will change what the Rangers expect back in a deal.

On one end of the spectrum, the Rangers entered the season thinking if a lot of things went right, they just might end up surprising some people. Their hedge was that if the team wasn’t successful, they might still have some attractive individual pieces to sell to accelerate the rebuild.

That hasn’t exactly materialized. Cole Hamels has not had the bounce back from a subpar, injury-riddled 2017 the team expected.

Bottom line: The Rangers can’t expect a major boost in the rebuilding program at this deadline.

Hamels, 34, owns a 4.36 ERA across 19 starts for Texas this season. While that isn’t egregious, here’s what’s concerning: 21 home runs allowed and a FIP of 5.05. It’s not that Hamels isn’t pitching like a No. 1 or No. 2 starter; he’s pitching like a No. 5.

Hamels to Phillies?

Complicating matters for any team interested in adding Hamels in the hopes of a second-half revival: A no-trade clause and a 2019 contract option that calls for either a $20M salary or $6M buyout. Hamels looks like a big name more than a big impact starter right now for potentially interested teams like the Phillies and Yankees.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.