Chicago Cubs Rumors: Team has sights set on veteran Cole Hamels

Looking to shore up a shaky starting rotation, the Chicago Cubs are hoping to work out a trade for Texas Rangers veteran left-hander Cole Hamels.

In the midst of yet another frustrating Tyler Chatwood start, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly working toward a deal to acquire left-hander Cole Hamels from the Texas Rangers.

Hamels, 34, is a far cry from the guy who anchored postseason rotations with the Philadelphia Phillies a decade ago. That being said, the Cubs’ current course – with Chatwood walking more than a batter per inning and Yu Darvish not throwing at all – is obviously unsustainable.

Darvish hasn’t taken the mound in two months – and while the team seems somewhat optimistic, it’s far from a promising outlook for the big right-hander. Chatwood, meanwhile, is a Rubik’s cube of a dilemma. The guy’s walk rate has skyrocketed above anything he’s put up before, all but erasing what would have been solid back-end contributions from the right-hander.

So, is Hamels Jacob deGrom? Absolutely not. Nor should you expect him to be. But what he does represent is a more stable option in the rotation – and an insurance policy should Darvish miss the rest of the season.