MLB: Cubs Acquire Cole Hamels

The Chicago Cubs have traded for Cole Hamels, four-time MLB All-Star, as they've dealt multiple prospects to the Texas Rangers. It was important for the Cubs to bring in a legitimate starting pitcher, whether it be Chris Archer, Lance Lynn, or Hamels. It seems they felt the latter would be the best fit with their rotation. Yu Darvish hasn't been as good as expected, and after Jake Arrieta left, there was a gap within the starters. Hamels will have an opportunity to fill that. He currently has a 4.72 ERA which is one of the worst seasons of his career, but the Cubs are expecting him to turn it around. Chicago currently leads the NL Central, but only have a 0.5 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers so the final two months are going to be a tight race.

Hamels isn't at the same level he was in 2008, when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies, but he still has a lot of talent and it would surprise absolutely no one if he became the ace we once knew. He was the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP en route to winning the title with the Phillies in 2008, and most of us remember his no-hitter against his new team, in his final game with Philadelphia, before being traded to the Rangers in 2015. He has a career record of 152-111 with 2,341 strikeouts and a 3.43 ERA. The Cubs will now have a starting rotation of Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester, Hamels, Darvish, and Tyler Chatwood. As for the Rangers, they're looking at a full rebuild and acquiring as many prospects at the deadline seemed like the right decision.

Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.