Rangers acquire Cole Hamels from Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies finally kicked a long-awaited rebuild into high gear, agreeing to trade Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers for a package of prospects, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the trade.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been finalized.
Philadelphia will also receive oft-injured Rangers major league starter Matt Harrison, but the true prizes are the five prospects fortifying their system.
Class AAA pitchers Jerad Eickhoff and Alec Asher, Class AA outfielder Nick Williams, Class AA catcher Jorge Alfaro and Class AA pitcher Jake Thompson are among those included in the deal. Phillies reliever Jake Diekman is also heading to Texas.
Hamels, 31, was the 2008 World Series MVP and won 114 games for the Phillies, the last victory a no-hitter in his final start, at Wrigley Field. The Phillies will shed the $73.5 million he's owed through 2016-2018. Texas will hold a $20 million club option on Hamels 2019.
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Harrison, who has started just nine games over the past three seasons, is due $28 million in 2016-17.
The others coming from the Rangers organization are years away from making such salaries.
Alfaro, the Rangers' No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, could be the centerpiece of the return. At 22, he has excellent power and defensive skill.
Eickhoff, 25, was 9-4 with a 4.30 ERA between Class AA and AAA. At 6-4 and 240 pounds, he is a potential workhorse starter with a fastball that touches the low 90-mph range.
Asher, 23, is a combined 4-10 with a 4.43 ERA between Class AA and AAA. A fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft, Asher had Tommy John surgery at the age of 14.
Outfielder Nick Williams, 21, played in this year's Futures Game. He's a switch-hitter with speed. Currently in Class AA, Williams has a lot of upside, but needs refinement. In 2015, he reduced his strikeout frequency from once every 3.2 at-bats to once every 4.8.
Thompson, 21, is 6-6 with a 4.72 ERA in Class AA. He has the potential to become a top-tier starter.
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