With Levine coming over from Texas and having a history with them does that make a Cole Hamels trade more likely?  I just read here  https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/trade-rumblings-darvish-marlins-starters-tigers-astros-iglesias-hand.html    that Texas may make Hamels available and he has a contract through next year with an option year tacked on so he can be here through 2019.  What pieces would we need to give up for him?  I think something along the line of one of our top pitching prospects Romero or Gonsalves, Granite, Palacious and maybe Curtis or Reed or Bard.  Maybe Garver could be included over another prospect as they may want a catcher if they trade their Catcher...

Edited July 14, 20179 yr by Brandon

You might as well throw Sano and Berrios in that deal.........

Absolutely love Cole Hamels. The guy should have his picture in the dictionary by the word 'workhorse'.

 

However, while it is a SSS (only 51.1 IP this year), he is currently sporting his highest walk rate and lowest K rate of his career. Oddly enough, his WHIP is still excellent, but that likely has something to do with his .223 BABIP.

The other 2 stats may be cause for concern, but his 2 starts since coming back from injury have been vintage Cole Hamels. I would be willing to take on that salary for what he is capable of providing. I don't think he's finished and I think the Rangers would be selling low at this point.

If you gave up the equivalent of what Texas had to give up to get him  and Diekman, it would be a good deal. The Pohlads would especially go for it because  Pohlads love that player named cash.

If Texas is willing to trade Hammels when they have nearly the same number of wins as the Twins, that should tell you something.

Edited July 14, 20179 yr by yarnivek1972

 

If Texas is willing to trade Hammels when they have nearly the same number of wins as the Twins, that should tell you something.

The link does say "if they don’t open the second half of the season with strong play."  So I don't think they would necessarily be willing to trade Hamels today, with their current record.

 

Also, the Rangers have a similar record as the Twins, but they may have much worse playoff odds thanks to their division, as illustrated by the Fangraphs "coin flip mode" playoff odds:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/coolstandings.aspx?type=0&lg=div&date=current

 

Actual projections / season to date stats seem to favor the Rangers, of course, although they involve quite a bit of subjectivity.

Interestingly I've read the Rangers want to keep their assets, in an attempt to convince Otani that they are a good team he should join. I don't have a strong opinion (shocking!) on Hamels, as I haven't paid attn to him in a couple years.

Rangers have under-performed so far.  Likely they stick with who they have and see what happens.  They have a shot at the wild card.

This was written early this year:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/is-cole-hamels-primed-for-a-fall/

 

Why did he miss two months of the season? 

 

Why did he miss two months of the season? 

 

He had an ouchie.

 

Why did he miss two months of the season? 

Oblique strain.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/rangers-reportedly-lose-cole-hamels-for-eight-weeks-with-oblique-strain/

Hamels is 33, has been in the decline the last 3 seasons and is owed at least $30M for 1 season. 

 

No need to. 

 

This team needs to be after young controllable talent, not expensive declining pitchers.

 

Hamels is 33, has been in the decline the last 3 seasons and is owed at least $30M for 1 season. 

 

No need to. 

 

This team needs to be after young controllable talent, not expensive declining pitchers.

 

I don't want Cole Hamels, but if you consider his last 3 seasons a decline, I think 99% of major leagues would take that kind of decline.  This year looks bad but it might be injury related.

 

And no, he is note owed $30.  He is owed $23 million in 2018 and most likely $20 million team option in 2019.

 

I really wanted him when he was with the Phillies, but I'd pass on him now.  I'm on the Sonny Gray bandwagon.

 

If Texas is willing to trade Hammels when they have nearly the same number of wins as the Twins, that should tell you something.

It tells me that they're in the same division as the Astros.

 

I don't want Cole Hamels, but if you consider his last 3 seasons a decline, I think 99% of major leagues would take that kind of decline.  This year looks bad but it might be injury related.

 

And no, he is note owed $30.  He is owed $23 million in 2018 and most likely $20 million team option in 2019.

 

He has a $6M or so buyout.  The least amount he is owed is $29.some million.

Yeah no thanks. Doesn't fit the time frame.

Assuming Hamels is worth 1.5 WAR the rest of the year and 3.5 WAR next year, at roughly $10M per win, that's a value of $50M. He's owed about $11M the rest of this year, $22.5M next year's, and he has a $6M buyout for 2019, for an aggregate of about $40M, or about $10M less than the projected value. According to Fangraphs, a 45 FV hitter prospect was worth about $11M at the beginning of this year. In November, Fangraphs assessed Garver, Javier and Rortvedt as 45 FV batters. Yeah, I'd trade one of them for Hamels.

Edited July 14, 20179 yr by Deduno Abides

Assuming Hamels is worth 1.5 WAR the rest of the year and 3.5 WAR next year, at roughly $10M per win, that's a value of $50M. He's owed about $11M the rest of this year, $22.5M next year's, and he has a $6M buyout for 2019, for an aggregate of about $40M, or about $10M less than the projected value. According to Fangraphs, a 45 FV hitter prospect was worth about $11M at the beginning of this year. In November, Fangraphs assessed Garver, Javier and Rortvedt as 45 FV batters. Yeah, I'd trade one of them for Hamels.

I doubt he is a 3.5 WAR player next year. And if he is, that buyout is not happening, unless it is his option, even then... But, I appreciate your perspective, we just disagree.

I doubt he is a 3.5 WAR player next year. And if he is, that buyout is not happening, unless it is his option, even then... But, I appreciate your perspective, we just disagree.

It's OK. My guess is that the Rangers would also disagree with trading Hamels for Garver.

Anyone think the jays would trade Stroman for Polanco, Rosario, Stewart, and Palka

Anyone think the jays would trade Stroman for Polanco, Rosario, Stewart, and Palka

No.

I love day dreaming about picking up players of this caliber but that is all it is... just a dream. With the ace like Colon, I think we can come to the conclusion that the Twins will not be making any substantial moves in obtaining quality pitchers.

Yeah, the cupboard is so bare I could not justify giving up prospects to make a run with Hamels. There are still too many holes to fill for us to be considered contenders. And just making the playoffs doesn't make you a contender (see Gardy years). Our window hasn't opened yet. Probably won't be until Romero and gonsalves are ready to contribute. Also, must trade position prospects for pitching prospects. (Gordon?)