Rangers: Hamels has probably pitched his way off the trading block

The Texas Rangers likely harbored hopes of dealing Cole Hamels before the trade deadline. A series of poor outings has likely dashed that plan.

At this point, I don’t think the Texas Rangers would get much back in any trade involving Cole Hamels. This was also likely the case before his latest downward spiral. Even when he was pitching well, it was difficult to envision a scenario where Hamels could hold down a third or fourth starter role on a true contender. His expanding ERA, penchant for hitting batters, and knack for giving up the long ball suggested as much.

This isn’t to say he hasn’t had his moments. When Hamels is on, his strikeout rate is up. He is still able to put up a quality start on occasion, and he is the consummate professional on and off the field. But the thing we’re seeing here is the decline of a once-dominant pitcher. Hey, it happens to everyone at some point in their career. Time is undefeated.

My intention, however, isn’t to sit here and disparage Hamels. He has done far too much for the Rangers’ organization in his time here to merit a raking over over the coals. I’m simply trying to be as clinical as possible in assessing his trade value. If we’re being honest, it’s got to be next zero at this juncture, especially after two horrid outings against two less-than-stellar lineups.

Moreover, if a trade does somehow pop up, they’d almost be foolish not to jump at the chance to offload his contract, even if the return doesn’t knock their socks off. The bottom line is that Hamels isn’t getting any younger. His best days are behind him. And while the Rangers haven’t ever come out and said they’re officially rebuilding, Hamels certainly isn’t part of the plan by the time the new stadium is ready.

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The fact is the trade to acquire Hamels made all the sense in the world at the time. If you don’t remember, it took a herculean effort for that 2015 team to pull themselves into contention for the American League West crown. They got off to a rough start and spent all season chasing the Houston Astros. When the trade was made, though, the Rangers had started to play to their paper. There’s no doubt it lit a fire in the locker room and made them push even harder. Hamels went 7-1 and pitched 83.2 innings down the stretch. This was highlighted by a complete game gem on the final day of the season to claim the AL West title. That team was going for it in every sense of the word.

But even then, everyone involved knew what they were getting into. In an attempt to compete for a championship, the Rangers signed on to get a pitcher that they’d be paying as he entered the twilight of his career. Of course, the hope there was that a World Series title would come to fruition during his tenure here. Unfortunately, the team themselves entered a decline of their own while a nascent rival–Houston–hit their stride as a true championship contender.

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In other words, the timing of this downswing in Rangers’ baseball leaves a bit to be desired. To be sure, likely no one in the front office believed the decline would arrive so swiftly. That’s not to say there aren’t a few building blocks in place for the new era. But the decline of both Hamels and the team in general signify the conclusion of the true golden age of Rangers’ baseball for the foreseeable future.

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