Plenty of trades took place on Thursday afternoon, as if it was July 31st already. Two top-named starting pitchers that were expected to be dealt switched teams on this day, beginning with Cole Hamels heading to the Chicago Cubs. The deal saw Chicago send several low minor-league prospects back to the Texas Rangers, as the deal is still pending physicals. The 34-year-old is expected to replace either Tyler Chatwood or Mike Montgomery in their starting rotation. Chatwood struggled with six walks on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks and has a 7.71 ERA in his past five starts. He also leads the majors with 85 walks in 94 innings pitched.
Hamels, a former World Series winner with the Philadelphia Phillies, is 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA this season, but a majority of that damage came at Globe Life Park. On the road this season, the left-hander has a 2.93 ERA and has given up just seven home runs in 55.1 innings. That compares to 16 home runs given up in 59 innings at home.
In his 14th season in the league, Hamels is a four-time All-Star and holds a record of 152-111 with a 3.43 career ERA. The World Series victory came in 2008, which is the same season he was named World Series MVP and NLCS MVP. In six career starts at Wrigley Field, he is 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA, which includes a no-hitter in his final start with the Phillies.
Elsewhere in starting pitchers, the New York Yankees added J.A. Happ from the Toronto Blue Jays for Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney. The trade is the second one made by New York this week to add to their pitching staff, as they also added Zach Britton for that stacked bullpen.
The 35-year-old Happ is 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 114 innings pitched this season for the Jays. These talks between the Yankees and Jays have reportedly been going on for a while now, as GM Brian Cashman has showed plenty of interest in the right-hander.
The Yankees were attempting to add veteran starting pitching in the off-season, but struggled to do so, forcing them to start multiple rookies this season. Outside of Luis Severino, the Yankees rotation has been shaky due to health and young arms. What may have made Happ even more valuable to them is his success against the Boston Red Sox, who he is 7-4 with a 2.98 ERA against in his career. That includes a 0.84 ERA in two starts against them this year already. New York will play Boston 10 more times this season.
Other trades in baseball yesterday saw the Houston Astros add catching depth from their division rivals, acquiring Martin Maldonaldo from the Los Angeles Angels. The Milwaukee Brewers also got help at a much-needed position by getting Joakim Soria from the Chicago White Sox. The Brewers currently hold the second-worst bullpen ERA in baseball.
Hamels, a former World Series winner with the Philadelphia Phillies, is 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA this season, but a majority of that damage came at Globe Life Park. On the road this season, the left-hander has a 2.93 ERA and has given up just seven home runs in 55.1 innings. That compares to 16 home runs given up in 59 innings at home.
In his 14th season in the league, Hamels is a four-time All-Star and holds a record of 152-111 with a 3.43 career ERA. The World Series victory came in 2008, which is the same season he was named World Series MVP and NLCS MVP. In six career starts at Wrigley Field, he is 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA, which includes a no-hitter in his final start with the Phillies.
Elsewhere in starting pitchers, the New York Yankees added J.A. Happ from the Toronto Blue Jays for Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney. The trade is the second one made by New York this week to add to their pitching staff, as they also added Zach Britton for that stacked bullpen.
The 35-year-old Happ is 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 114 innings pitched this season for the Jays. These talks between the Yankees and Jays have reportedly been going on for a while now, as GM Brian Cashman has showed plenty of interest in the right-hander.
The Yankees were attempting to add veteran starting pitching in the off-season, but struggled to do so, forcing them to start multiple rookies this season. Outside of Luis Severino, the Yankees rotation has been shaky due to health and young arms. What may have made Happ even more valuable to them is his success against the Boston Red Sox, who he is 7-4 with a 2.98 ERA against in his career. That includes a 0.84 ERA in two starts against them this year already. New York will play Boston 10 more times this season.
Other trades in baseball yesterday saw the Houston Astros add catching depth from their division rivals, acquiring Martin Maldonaldo from the Los Angeles Angels. The Milwaukee Brewers also got help at a much-needed position by getting Joakim Soria from the Chicago White Sox. The Brewers currently hold the second-worst bullpen ERA in baseball.
