The Cubs went and won themselves a ball game (the come from behind variety, again) while I was in the midst of moving all my stuff for relocation to California. That was fun, but I suppose we should address the elephant in the room that is Tyler Chatwood. In theory, Chatwood was a decent fifth starter, with some command and Coors-related issues, but still with enough stuff that he could get by. You see that at times, because his pitches have a lot of life and they induce silly swings.
The problem is that the Cubs always seem to be struggling to come from behind in Chatwood starts because he can’t go deep in games due to walking the world, and this is going to eventually be taxing on the bullpen and the collective team psyche, though you wouldn’t know it since they won’t publicly throw a teammate under the bus (at least, I don’t think so). With Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow still on the mend, both sides of the pitching staff are getting stretched thin and the depth is being tested. It is very fortunate that the Cubs continue to lead the National League and the Central Division despite all this plus an unusually oft-injured Kris Bryant. But because Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are always forward-thinking, they will probably do something about it.
Enter the Texas Rangers’ Cole Hamels, whom you might remember from such soul-crushing pitching performances like this:
No. 7,921: Cole Hamels has no-hit the Cubs.
The Streak dies.
— Cubs No-Hit Streak (@CubsNoHitStreak) July 25, 2015
The Cubs are allegedly in the running for Hamels’ services, this in the final guaranteed year of his contract. The Cots people say that Hamels does have a team option for 2019, so this is not a pure “rental” situation (gotta find a better word for that) if the Cubs choose to splurge assuming they are serious about this trade scenario and actually land him. I’ll let smarter people than I talk about his peripherals and stuff, but there’s a reason multiple teams are interested, and perhaps getting him out of the launchpad in Arlington will help out.
The addition of a Hamels-caliber pitcher also can push one of Chatwood or Mike Montgomery to the bullpen, to simultaneously alleviate the pressure from losing both Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow, as a few back end relievers are capable of closing things out. This would allow Chatwood some time to find himself, and Hamels becoming a free agent (if his option is not picked up) would allow Chatwood another opportunity to fix whatever is broken this year during the spring and win a rotation spot again.
And then there’s this:
Sources: #Cubs moving toward a Cole Hamels deal that would be centered around lower-level minor-league prospects and salary relief for #Rangers. Something to monitor: Class-A Myrtle Beach right-hander Rollie Lacy was scratched from tonight’s start.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) July 27, 2018
Gonna keep an eye on the internet tonight and through to July 31, keep checking for updates if you are reading us instead of the bajillion other blogs out there (love you!).
UPDATE 7:49 PM: Well, this seems like it’s close to official!
Source: Deals is in place to send Cole Hamels to the Chicago Cubs.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) July 27, 2018
Sources: The Chicago Cubs have a deal to acquire Cole Hamels from the Texas Rangers, who will receive minor leaguers in return. Texas sending a significant amount of cash to cover Hamels’ salary. Hamels gives the Cubs rotation depth and an October-tested veteran arm.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2018
All the stuff I said above still applies. Waiting for something official, but this is pretty awesome.
UPDATE 8:10 PM: Among others, sounds like the trade is imminent:
Hamels will be a Cub. Finalizing details. They are on his pre-approved list. @Evan_P_Grant 1st to say
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 27, 2018
Confirmed: Cubs acquire Cole Hamels, pending physical.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) July 27, 2018
The idea seems to be multiple prospects in exchange for the Rangers taking on most of the remaining salary, allowing the Cubs to stay under the luxury tax threshold so they can go nuts in the offseason without forfeiting too many draft picks just yet.
UPDATE 9:57 PM: This is not that bad for the Cubs and all they really need Hamels to do for the next few months is be average to make this a win.
Source: The Cubs are sending Class A pitcher Rollie Lacy and a player to be named later to the Rangers for Cole Hamels.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2018
If this is confirmed, the Cubs made out like bandits. And if Hamels sucks, it’s not like they lost that much in the end…
UPDATE 7/27 11:19 AM: The deal is now official since the Cubs tweeted it:
The #Cubs today acquired LHP Cole Hamels and a cash consideration from the Rangers for RHP Eddie Butler, minor league RHP Rollie Lacy and a player to be named. pic.twitter.com/uDJaFBAT3c
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 27, 2018
Source: In final terms of Cole Hamels deal with Texas, #Cubs will be responsible for $5 million of his remaining salary obligations.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) July 27, 2018
Takes care of a pitching need and they don’t even have to worry about the roster spot. Win win!
UPDATE 7/29 3:35 PM: Hamels gets a locker now!
The #Cubs today added LHP Cole Hamels to the active 25-man roster. RHP Cory Mazzoni has been optioned to @IowaCubs.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 29, 2018
He will start during the Pirates series on Wednesday. Here’s to a good outing as the Brewers are refusing to suck again, and the Pirates are red hot.
And, you know, maybe go listen to our Dreamcast and win something.
Featured Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images
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