Chicago Cubs: The acquisition of Cole Hamels saved the Cubs season

Chicago Cubs: Hamels should be back with the team next season

Overall, Hamels made 12 starts with the Cubs and posted a record of 4-3. He gave them a huge boost when he was immediately acquired but he faded down the stretch. He posted a 2.36 ERA, striking out 74 batters and walking 23. Of the five Cubs starters, down the stretch Hamels had the lowest ERA while giving up the fewest earned runs.

Hamels was a breath of fresh air for the Cubs, giving a huge boost to a struggling starting rotation. While it was a tale of two months for the left-hander, he turned out to be a huge acquisition the Cubs could lean on in the second half.

Even in the Cubs Wild Card game against the Colorado Rockies, he was willing to give it everything he had. Hamels entered the game in relief in the top of the 10th inning and gave the Cubs two scoreless innings. He worked around two hits and one walk while striking out one batter.

Hamels comes with a $20 million option that the Cubs will more than likely pick up. The 2008 World Series champion has more than earned it and the team would be foolish to let him walk away especially considering their question marks pertaining to the starting rotation. I fully expect to see the veteran left-hander back in Chicago next season as the fifth starter.