Phillies

Cole Hamels Is Going to Get Another Chance for a Ring in Chicago

By Philip Keidel

Published: Jul 26th, 2018 · 10:55 PM EDT

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Three years and one day to the point in time when Cole Hamels no-hit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Hamels is headed to Chicago to bolster the Cubs’ rotation just as the pennant race heats up:

Breaking: The @Cubs have acquired Cole Hamels from the Rangers for several low minor-league prospects. (via multiple reports, first reported by the Dallas Morning News) pic.twitter.com/9YuLxLhxfw

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 27, 2018

Hamels has recently resembled the end-of-career Steve Carlton, suffering a number of nasty beatings at least some of which were likely due to the heat in Arlington, Texas — a place where his crafty style was probably never really going to play anyway:

Cole Hamels last 5 starts: 22IP, 37H, 25ER, 5HR. A robust 10.22 ERA. #CrossHimOffThen #Yankees

— Chris Carlin (@ChrisCarlin) July 24, 2018

But as we all know, there are lies, damned lies, and statistics:

For Cole Hamels, a deal to Cubs now could pay off big-time in the fall, beyond another possible run through October. He'd be going to the NL; to a pitchers' park; and out of the Rangers' park, where he has a 6.41 ERA this season. He has a 2.93 ERA in road games. FA in the fall.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/1022651219981082626

So you’re saying there’s a chance! Regardless, this is a masterstroke by the Cubs, who per the ESPN News Services post summarizing the trade didn’t part with too much to take a flyer on a former World Series Most Valuable Player.

Moreover, it’s not like Hamels is being asked to beat out elite talents at the back of the Cubs’ rotation. “Hamels would likely slide into the Cubs’ rotation in place of either Tyler Chatwood or Mike Montgomery. Chatwood walked six batters in the Cubs’ 7-6 walk-off win over Arizona on Thursday, giving him 85 walks in 94 innings.” Montgomery, for his part, has been a long reliever for much of his career.

We can agree that it would have been a lot of fun to have Hamels back in Philadelphia for one more playoff run, which seemed plausible not too long ago:

Cole Hamels spotted at Uncle Bill's down the shore.

Cole Hamels trade back to Philly for another World Series MVP all but confirmed. pic.twitter.com/VGFGs3BPsw

— Adam Smith (@SmittyBarstool) July 17, 2018

That sweet dream is dead, but even the hardest-hearted of us can’t begrudge Hamels playing for a loaded Cubs team that won the title two years ago and is probably the best team in the National League.

Deadspin had it about right: The Cubs got lucky to land Hamels now. “If Hamels can show even just a few flashes of his pre-2017 form, and some of the other guys on the mound can get back to normal, the Cubbies are rocking a decent rotation with the playoffs in sight,” wrote Avery Yang.

Just please don’t let him win a Game 3 here in October to eliminate the Phillies. We’re not ready for that.