Rangers Acquire Cole Hamels

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Taken directly from MLBTradeRumors.com….

Jul 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

After months of rumors, Phillies ace Cole Hamels has reportedly been traded to the Rangers in an eight-player deal.  The Rangers acquired Hamels, reliever Jake Diekman, and $9.5MM in cash for veteran lefty Matt Harrison, pitching prospects Jake Thompson, Alec Asher, and Jerad Eickhoff, catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, and outfield prospect Nick Williams.

Wow! Another big move by a Mariners AL West foe.

What does this move mean for the Mariners? Quite a bit actually.

1. Cole Hamels is not just a rent-a-player. He’s under contract through 2018. Thus, he could potentially be causing problems for the Mariners well beyond just the end of this season.

2. He helps solidify the Rangers starting rotation for the next several years. When Yu Darvish comes back next season, Texas now has a very viable 1-2 punch. Then you throw in oft-injured pitcher Derek Holland and Texas has a good rotation.

3. The Rangers may not be as good as they were a few years ago when they were going to World Series’, but they are on the track to being relevant again in the AL West, and thus, the Mariners odds in the division have already been hampered for next year.

4. The Rangers gave up a huge prospect haul to get Hamels. It’s good for Mariners fans to see Texas give away some youth and hope for the future, but I think having Hamels will frustrate M’s fans just as much.

5. The Rangers also gave up Matt Harrison in the deal. That’s good for Mariners fans, as Harrison seems to own the Mariners, much like the rest of baseball.

The M’s open up a four-game series with the Twins tonight. After the debacle against the Diamondbacks, this is it for the Mariners. The Twins are reeling, but are currently in the second wild card spot. The Mariners need to take the series to gain ground and even give themselves a chance.

Go M’s.

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