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Aug 7, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels (35) walks off the field after pitching the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. The Cubs defeated the Phillies 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Cole Hamels – Philadelphia Phillies
Of all the trade rumors swirling, Cole Hamels to the Chicago Cubs seems to be the most prevalent.
Of course, recently the Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as the front-runners for the Phillies’ left-hander’s services, which complicates the Cubs’ rumored pursuit.
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The appeal of adding Hamels this season (prior to the deadline) is that he’s under a deal for $90 million for the next half-decade, which is far cheaper than many of the upcoming free agent arms are slated to go for.
This season, the Phillies left-hander has pitched to a 3.02 earned run average. Although he’s seemingly fallen to the wayside while people focus on the up-and-coming pitching talent in the National League East, over the past five years, he’s posted a 2.99 ERA – to go along with a 3.19 FIP and 3.87 SO/BB ratio.
He would change the make-up of the Cubs’ rotation in a way few others could. That being said, it’s hard to imagine Theo and Jed making such a splash this summer when the offseason crop of arms is so deep.