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Chicago Cubs: A cost-cutting move that was huge
However, there were a few problems with this scenario. This maneuver could have damaged the working relationship between the Cubs and the Rangers front office. The Cubs and the Rangers have had a great working relationship that has resulted in a lot of good trades for the Cubs over the years.
On the other hand, the Cubs front office may have ended up applying pressure to encourage the Rangers to trade for Drew Smyly. That trade saved the Cubs Smyly’s $7 million salary. The Cubs then picked up Hamel’s option. That saved the Rangers $6 million they would have spent without having anything to show for it.
If Hamels reached free agency, he would have been one of the best pitchers available. Yes, part of that status would have been based on his improved performance after he was traded to the Cubs in a very limited time frame. But in a similar move, a change of scenery reinvigorated Justin Verlander‘s career. Verlander is still going strong a year later.