The Cole Hamels sweepstakes reportedly are over. The big left-hander is headed to the Lone Star State.
The Texas Rangers have agreed to a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies to acquire Hamels and left-handed reliever Jake Diekman in exchange for left-handed pitcher Matt Harrison and five prospects, multiple outlets reported late Wednesday night.
The Rangers were on the short list of teams in the running for the three-time All-Star. The Boston Red Sox also were rumored to be on that list, but they also were one of the teams mentioned in Hamels’ no-trade clause, which would have made it difficult to get a deal done.
In Hamels, the Rangers receive a proven ace with a strong postseason track record and who threw a no-hitter in his final outing with the Phillies over the weekend. He and Yu Darvish will represent a potent one-two punch when the latter returns from Tommy John surgery next season.
Hamels is 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA this season and has struck out 137 batters in 128 2/3 innings pitched.
Texas sends a group of five prospects to Philly: catcher Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams and right-handers Alec Asher, Jake Thompson and Jerad Eickhoff.
Thumbnail photo via Caylor Arnold/USA TODAY Sports Images
