Why Rangers’ Cole Hamels is sure Yankees fans like him

Yankees could make a run at dealing for Rangers ace Cole Hamels later this summer.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels doesn’t many interviews on days that he doesn’t pitch.

Monday was an exception.

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The day before making a scheduled start against the Yankees at Globe Life Park, the four-time All-Star answered questions from a small group of New York reporters at his locker for 12 minutes.

Hamels was approached because his Rangers are off to a 18-30 start, he’s a good bet to be part of a summer trade and the Yankees figure to be looking for a top-of-the-rotation starter.

The interview began with Hamels being told that some Yankees fans already have been vocal on social media about trading for him.

“Shoot, I helped them get a World Series in ’09, so I’m sure they like me!” Hamels said with a laugh.

Later, Hamels made it clear that he’s definitely still not over 2009. A year after he was the World Series MVP, his Phillies were looking to repeat and fell behind in the series 2-games-1 when he blew a 3-0 lead starting Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

One of the big lows that night for Hamels was allowing an RBI single to Andy Pettitte on a curveball, his third-best pitch.

“I was up a lot of runs early and to not be able to hold that lead … I think it as kind of a pivotal moment and that kind of changes the tide in a series,” Hamels said.

The Yankees wound up winning the World Series in six games.

“I think that kind of always leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, especially against the Yankees,” Hamels said.

Almost a decade later, Hamels perhaps will be high on the Yankees’ radar this summer. His contract could be an issue, as he’s making $22.5 million this season and for next year there’s a $20 million club option for next year that can be vested or a $6 million buyout.

Also, Hamels can veto deals to nine teams, the Yankees included, but he made it clear Monday that this power was just a bargaining chip. 

“It’s just kind of a formality. I don’t think it’s anything that kind of needs to be looked into too deeply,” Hamels said.

Hamels, 34, is 2-4 with a 3.48 ERA this season in nine starts with 57 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. On Tuesday, he’ll be gunning for his 150th career win when facing the Yankees.

“They do have a lot of power, so you just have to limit the damage,” Hamels said. “Solo home runs are probably the key. If you’re going to give up 500-foot home runs, try to make sure they’re solo and they’re not bunched together in 4s and 5s.

“Like anybody, there’s holes and you just have to exploit it and you have to be able to locate. I think really what it comes down to, it’s a chess match and you try to study up as possible.”

It will be interesting to see if this Rangers’ chess piece ends up being a Yankee later this summer.

Hamels says that he’s happy in Texas and that he wants to win again with the Rangers – he was on their 2015 and 2016 AL West championship teams – but it’s also clear that he’d be OK moving on if his bosses opt to rebuild.

“As you get older if you’re able to play well … sometimes each year you could be on a different team hunting down a postseason,” Hamels said.

The Yankees probably will be one of those clubs this year.

“They’ve got a tremendous team,” Hamels said. “So really looking at them, it’s some of the best baseball is now being able to watch the Yankees and Boston and I think that’s just exciting for baseball fans in general.

“The scope of what it now creates with that sort of drama that they’ve always had and history, it’s been good to see. They put out a good valiant effort. They’ve got a lot of power and they’ve got some tremendous talent too.”

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.