The Case for Cole Hamels

[Matt L]

I think this is a good time to go after Cole Hamels. I believe Phraz mentioned him as a possible trade target in another thread. At first I thought


Cole Hamels is very good. Throughout his career he has thrown over 200 innings 6 seasons and will probably top 200 innings this year as well. He has been durable and consistently provides 3.5-4 wins above replacement (WAR). With Cole Hamels and a little progress from the existing roster, the rotation will be ready to compete for a Wild Card and Division title in 2016.

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1. Cole Hamels

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2. Patrick Corbin

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3. Archie Bradley

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4. Robbie Ray

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5.Rubby De LaRosa/Jeremy Hellickson


That is a decent to good rotation with some good arms in the farm system ready to come up and supplement the major league roster. Blair would be available to come in and be a good 4/5 starter. Shipley has talent. Yoan Lopez has talent but is obviously a work in progress. Some of these guys will transition to the bullpen and contribute as well.


The window for making a run is 2016-2019. Goldschmidt has the best contract in baseball. He is locked up through 2019. AJ Pollock is not eligible for free agency until 2019. Cole Hamels is locked up through 2019. Goldschmidt and Pollock are two top 10 talents in the NL that are under team control for the next 3 years. Adding Cole Hamels, who is also under team control for 3 years at a salary that is less than what top pitchers are receiving on the free agent market, would allow the team flexibility to add to the bullpen, behind the plate and make moves to supplement the roster.


So what would it cost to get Hamels from the Phillies? I honestly don’t know. There is a surplus of arms available on the trade market right now. There will also be some good free-agent pitchers available this offseason. That said, D-Backs have prospects and young major leaguers who should be able to get this trade done. The only prospect who I would treat as “untouchable” is Dansby Swanson. If I am Tony LaRussa, I would tell Dave Stewart to “Make it So” and go after Cole Hamels.

 

[Dback Jon]

Swanson, or anyone else drafted this year can't be traded for a year.

Hamels will be 32 at the start of next season
He is owed 23.5 million/year for next 3 seasons
Club option for 2019

 

[82CardsGrad]

I'm surprised that Hamels is still available... especially since Cueto went first.

Hamels has been incredibly consistent his entire career (2009 was his worst season and that still would've made him the Dback top 1 or 2 pitcher!).

I just don't know what it would take to grab him. And I am really, really loathe to cough up more of our young talent. If we can somehow work a deal where either Peralta, Inciarte or Tomas were shipped out, plus a young arm - maybe... maybe...

 

[frankeegee1]

200+innings and millions owed. Sounds familiar to me.

 

[Adrian]

I would rather trade for Cole Hamels instead of David Price.

 

[unseenaz]

I would, absolutely. Randy was 35 when he came to the desert, and at age 31(Cole's age) Randy had his best baseball ahead of him, not behind him.

NOT comparing Cole to Randy, because.. lol that's ridiculous; but I'm just saying that plenty of productive baseball can be had after age 31.

He would bring a veteran leadership to this very young pitching staff, and be an obvious ace that we're missing.

 

[Phrazbit]

I wouldn't do any of these moves right now. It does not make sense for a team out of the playoff race to surrender serious assets for older players.

They do need an ace but that hunt can wait until the off-season when the market is much more buyer friendly.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I wouldn't do any of these moves right now. It does not make sense for a team out of the playoff race to surrender serious assets for older players.

They do need an ace but that hunt can wait until the off-season when the market is much more buyer friendly.

I would be totally OK with this as well...

 

[az jam]

I wouldn't do any of these moves right now. It does not make sense for a team out of the playoff race to surrender serious assets for older players.

They do need an ace but that hunt can wait until the off-season when the market is much more buyer friendly.

Agree, DBacks are not a playoff team this season. Don't give away young talent when some of these pitches will become free agents in the off season.

 

[unseenaz]

I wouldn't do any of these moves right now. It does not make sense for a team out of the playoff race to surrender serious assets for older players.

They do need an ace but that hunt can wait until the off-season when the market is much more buyer friendly.

The thing about Hamels is that he is locked up thru the 2019 season, at about $20 mil a year. That's a relatively cheap contract for an ace, and you certainly couldn't sign a free agent ace for that much money these days. Trading for Hamels now would actually save us money in the long run if our plan is to get a front of the rotation starter

 

[82CardsGrad]

Diamondbacks Have Expressed Interest In Cole Hamels

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/cole-hamels

 

[unseenaz]

the Dodgers are interested too? /barf
if he goes to the Dodgers I really might puke

 

[Dback Jon]

the Dodgers are interested too? /barf
if he goes to the Dodgers I really might puke

That might be reason enough to go after him now.

 

[Iceman]

the Dodgers are interested too? /barf
if he goes to the Dodgers I really might puke

Another reason to try and get him, but not at giving away the farm

 

[Matt L]

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Diamondbacks are on Cole Hamels' no trade list....I am not going to get my hopes up.

 

[Lefty]

Cole has a no-trade clause to the Diamondbacks. They need to build through their farm system.

 

[AZ Native]

Cole has a no-trade clause to the Diamondbacks. They need to build through their farm system.

We are all aware that can be waived. But I agree with you. Continue buidling through the farm system.

 

[unseenaz]

Cole has a no-trade clause to the Diamondbacks. They need to build through their farm system.

I wonder why.. You only get a few teams on there and you don't want to come to Arizona that bad?

 

[Matt L]

Cole has a no-trade clause to the Diamondbacks. They need to build through their farm system.

I am all for keeping the farm stocked with talent but what are they building for?When would be the point to make a move or make a deal?

 

[GatorAZ]

The Diamondbacks don't have one elite prospect and Philly wants two. On to the next topic!

 

[overseascardfan]

His contract is cheaper than what we'll see this offseason but PHI is going to want minimum Blair, Shipley, Drury and a couple other pieces. Just go after an Ace in FA, that's what they've been cutting salary for...at least that's what they're telling us.

 

[sundevil04]

We absolutely have the pieces to make a VERY strong offer. I could see a package of 3 or 4 of these 12 players, one from each category.

Bradley
Blair
Shipley

Yoan Lopez
Hellickson
De La Rosa

Inciarte
Peralta
O'Brien

Drury
D. Leyba
Swanson (as a "player to be named later")

As much as I hate giving up top prospects, I could understand this move. Hamel's in 4 years younger than Randy when he came to the valley and a more accurate comparison would be Schilling. Hamels is 3 years younger than Schilling when he came to the valley. I'm not concerned much about Hamel's age. Also, his contract is actually very good for an ace. Under control for 4.5 more years for a total of 100Mil, or about 22M/year. Compare that the the 7 year 210Mil (30M/year) that Scherzer signed and also consider that Hamels and Scherzer are the same age. If we go teh FA route and go after say David Price, keep in mind there's no guarantee he chooses us and also that we'll have to sign him through the age of 38 at the rate of 30M+/year for 7 + years and over 210M total. ouch. Compare that to Hamels 100M @ 22M/year and being through the age of 35 and it doesn't look so bad.

Regarding the prospects, even after the trade, we'd likely be left with 7 of these 9 after the trade, 4 of which being, Hamels, Corbin, Ray, Anderson along with 2 of Bradley, Blair, Shipley and at least one of Hellickson & De La Rosa. Our rotation will be very strong for the next 4+ years.

Hamels
Corbin
Bradley/Blair/Shipley (We'd likely trade 1 and keep 2 of these)
Ray
Anderson
Hellickson/De La Rosa

If my 1 - 4 is Hamels, Corbin and Ray, Anderson I'm feeling very good. Also, if I'm left with 2 of Bradley, Blair, Shipley to possibly fill the #5 or at least as farm depth and at least one of Hellickson & De La Rosa as insurance for the #5 spot, I'm loving it!
Of the 6 position players I listed, O'Brien, Inciarte and Peralta are OF in addition to Pollack & Tomas, meaning we have 3 players to fill 1 spot. I hate to see young talented players be traded, but how much good can a 4th, 5th and 6th OF do for us?

Inciarte
Peralta
O'Brien

Drury
D. Leyba
Swanson (as a "player to be named later")

Of the latter 3, all are middle IF in addition to Owings and Ahmed. If we were to trade one of these 3, we're left with Owings, Ahmed and 2 of the youngsters...not bad depth at all.

 

[GatorAZ]

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan 19s19 seconds ago
Sources: Diamondbacks, Reds are talking about Aroldis Chapman. D'backs doing due diligence on him. Ask is huge, but may be something there.

 

[Adrian]

Wow if the Dbacks can somehow get Chapman from the Reds that would be huge. Not only do they get a upgrade but that trade will also hurt the SF Giants...who are looking to acquire Chapman.

 

[GatorAZ]

Wow if the Dbacks can somehow get Chapman from the Reds that would be huge. Not only do they get a upgrade but that trade will also hurt the SF Giants...who are looking to acquire Chapman.

Probably why the D'Backs are interested, to raise the price.