Cubs get slumping Cole Hamels in trade with Rangers
CHICAGO » The Chicago Cubs are gambling a change of scenery and a pennant race will help Cole Hamels return to form.
The Cubs acquired the veteran left-hander from the Texas Rangers on Friday for right-hander Eddie Butler, minor league pitcher Rollie Lacy and a player to be named. The Cubs are responsible for paying Hamels $5 million.
As part of the deal, Texas will send Chicago $2,862,903 to cover a portion of the $7,862,903 remaining in Hamels’ $22.5 million salary this year. If the Cubs decline his $19 million option for 2019 and pay a $6 million buyout, the Rangers would pay the Cubs an additional $6 million.
Hamels is in the midst of perhaps the worst year of his career, going 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA in 20 starts with lastplace Texas. He is 1-3 with an 11.12 ERA in four starts in July.
But the 34-year-old Hamels is an experienced playoff pitcher with a history of success at Wrigley Field. He was the NL Championship Series and World Series MVP when Philadelphia won the title in 2008. He is 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA in 16 career postseason starts.
“To be able to change kind of the mindset, now to go on a first-place team, there’s something inside of you that sparks when you get in those situations,” Hamels said.
“I think teams know he’s better than he’s pitched recently. We certainly know that,” said Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, adding that the Cubs were one of four teams he had serious discussions with about Hamels on Thursday.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon was in Tampa Bay’s dugout when Hamels led the Phillies past the Rays for the championship 10 years ago. He wouldn’t commit to a starting date for Hamels, but said he had an idea.
“I’ve seen this guy only good so hopefully that continues,” Maddon said. “Really good in the World Series back in the day. He’s pitched really well at Wrigley Field. Just a tremendous competitor. I know the guys are really jacked up about it and it’s one of those guys that makes you better and noticeably better.”
The Rangers clinched the AL West title on the final day of the 2015 season when Hamels threw a three-hitter against the Angels.
“It’s always that chase for that World Series, you start to realize how difficult it is to achieve,” Hamels said. “That was something I wanted to be able to do in Texas, and it didn’t happen. ... Going to Chicago, set up pretty nicely to be able to do so, I’m really excited to just kind of move right in and be a part of that.”
Hamels is 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA in six career starts at Wrigley. The San Diego native struck out 13 while pitching a no-hitter at Chicago’s iconic ballpark in his final start with the Phillies in 2015. He was traded to Texas six days later.
Diamondbacks acquire Escobar from Twins
PHOENIX » The Diamondbacks acquired switch-hitting infielder Eduardo Escobar from the Twins for minor league right-hander Jhoan Duran and outfielders Gabriel Maciel and Ernie De La Trinidad.
The 29-year-old Escobar hit .274 with 15 home runs, 63 RBIs and a major leaguebest 37 doubles in 97 games this season, his seventh with the Twins. From Venezuela, Escobar has played third base, shortstop and second base this season. In eight seasons in the majors with the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota, he has a .256 average with 63 homers and 287 RBIs.
Seattle Mariners bolster their bullpen
SEATTLE » The Seattle Mariners bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Sam Tuivailala from the Cardinals in exchange for minor-league pitcher Seth Elledge.
Tuivailala is 3-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 31 appearances for St. Louis this season, his second full season in the big leagues. He’ll immediately jump into the playoff race with Seattle holding a onegame lead over Oakland for the second wild card in the American League.