After all the rumors surrounding Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels the last few years at the trade deadline, the team in last place in the NL East finally dealt their ace on Wednesday. The Phillies and Texas Rangers agreed to a deal to send Hamels to Arlington for pitcher Matt Harrison and five prospects.
Texas also received left-handed reliever Jake Diekman in the deal. The five prospects that Texas sent to Philly include top catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams, and pitchers Alec Asher, Jake Thompson, and Jerad Eickhoff.
Philadelphia told many interested teams that they wanted the best deal for Hamels by Wednesday. The 31-year-old also drew interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox.
The left-handed starter has a 6-7 record with a 3.64 ERA this season, and is coming off a 129-pitch no-hitter against the Cubs on Sunday. He is now the first pitcher in major league history to be traded immediately following a no-hitter.
Texas is currently seven games behind the Astros in the AL West division, and four games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second wild card spot.
Hamels' highlights with Philadelphia includes five straight NL East titles from 2007-2011, two NL Pennants, one World Series title, and a World Series MVP. He was a career 114-90 with a 3.30 ERA in 10 season with the franchise. He was also 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 13 postseason starts, and added an NLCS MVP in 2008.
Philadelphia is an expected seller at the deadline, currently sitting at an MLB-worst 38-64, despite playing well post-All-Star break. They had already dealt closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals earlier this week.
Texas made a good move for the future, as their new ace has three years remaining on a six-year, $144 million deal, with a club option for 2019. He's owed $22.5 million per year through 2018, which forces the Rangers to pay around $40 million for the next three seasons.
Texas made this deal to not only help them down the stretch this season, but also help them stick around for the next few seasons with a new front-of-the-line starter.
Texas also received left-handed reliever Jake Diekman in the deal. The five prospects that Texas sent to Philly include top catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams, and pitchers Alec Asher, Jake Thompson, and Jerad Eickhoff.
Philadelphia told many interested teams that they wanted the best deal for Hamels by Wednesday. The 31-year-old also drew interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox.
The left-handed starter has a 6-7 record with a 3.64 ERA this season, and is coming off a 129-pitch no-hitter against the Cubs on Sunday. He is now the first pitcher in major league history to be traded immediately following a no-hitter.
Texas is currently seven games behind the Astros in the AL West division, and four games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second wild card spot.
Hamels' highlights with Philadelphia includes five straight NL East titles from 2007-2011, two NL Pennants, one World Series title, and a World Series MVP. He was a career 114-90 with a 3.30 ERA in 10 season with the franchise. He was also 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 13 postseason starts, and added an NLCS MVP in 2008.
Philadelphia is an expected seller at the deadline, currently sitting at an MLB-worst 38-64, despite playing well post-All-Star break. They had already dealt closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals earlier this week.
Texas made a good move for the future, as their new ace has three years remaining on a six-year, $144 million deal, with a club option for 2019. He's owed $22.5 million per year through 2018, which forces the Rangers to pay around $40 million for the next three seasons.
Texas made this deal to not only help them down the stretch this season, but also help them stick around for the next few seasons with a new front-of-the-line starter.
