Position: SP

Bats/Throws: L/L

Age: December 27, 1983 (36)

Traditional Stats: 7-7, 3.81 ERA, 1.391 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 9.1 K/9

Advanced Stats: 3.0 bWAR, 1.1 fWAR, 117 ERA+, 4.09 FIP

Veteran southpaw Cole Hamels was selected out of high school by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 17th pick in the 2002 MLB Draft. Four-years later he made his big league debut with the Phils on May 12th, 2006 tossing five scoreless, with seven strikeouts and five walks in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds.

After a promising rookie season (9-8, 4.08 ERA, 3.98 FIP, 1.247 WHIP, 9.9 k/9), it was clear that Hamels staked his claim as a future mainstay in the Phillies rotation. In nine-and-a-half seasons in Philadelphia, Hamels went on to win 116 games, striking out 1,844 batters, while being named an All-Star three times.  Most importantly, he helped the Phillies capture their 2008 World Series title, where he was named MVP for going 1-0 in two starts with a 2.77 ERA and 1.000 WHIP.

On July 25th, 2015, Hamels tossed the first no-hitter of his career against the Chicago Cubs, striking out 13 along the way. Six days later, Hamels became the first pitcher to ever be dealt coming off a no-hitter as the struggling Phillies traded him and Jake Diekman to the Texas Rangers at the deadline in exchange for a package of Jorge Alfaro, Jerad Eickhoff, Nick Williams, Matt Harrison, Jake Thompson, and Alec Asher.

After arriving in Texas, Hamels made his presence felt as he pitched to a 7-1 record and 3.66 ERA down the stretch to help the sub.500 Rangers rise to the top of the N.L. West standings to snatch the division title away from the Houston Astros. However, the Rangers went on to fall in the ALDS to the Toronto Blue Jays in the famous Jose Bautista “bat flip” series. Hamels started two games going 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA.

The following year Hamels made his fourth All-Star appearance and completed a strong full season with his new club going 15-5 with a 3.32 ERA and 3.98 FIP. For the second straight year, the Rangers captured the N.L. West division title, but were once again eliminated in the ALDS by the Toronto Blue Jays, who this time finished the job in a three-game sweep.

After one more full season in Texas, Hamels was once again traded to the Chicago Cubs at the 2018 trade deadline. Hamels went 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA and 3.42 FIP in 12 starts for the Cubs down the stretch. The lefty tossed two-scoreless innings in the team’s Wild Card loss to the Colorado Rockies.

In 2019, Hamels stayed with the Cubs to go 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA, 4.09 FIP, and 9.1 k/9 in 27 starts. The Cubs picked up the $14 million option of his six-year $144 million deal that he signed back in 2012, which at the time was the second richest contract for a pitcher in major league history.

The veteran left-hander will now hit the free agent market for the first time in his illustrious fourteen year career. Hamels is currently eighth on the active wins leader list with 163 for his career and is 32nd all-time with 2,558 strikeouts.

Contract

Hamels still proved to be a serviceable pitcher in 2019 with an ERA below four. He is also an innings eater, making 27 starts and tossing 141.2 innings at the age of 35.

Heading into his age-36 season, he is certainly not worth the $20 million a year he was previously making, but could still command anywhere between the $8-11 million mark. Expect him to sign for either one-year $8.5 million or a two-year $17.5 million deal.

Recommendation 

Hamels could be a somewhat cheaper, yet reliable, fifth starter option, and he is someone a contender could pickup on a short term deal. With all signs pointing to Zack Wheeler‘s departure from the Mets, the team will have a hole in the back of their rotation.

The Mets believe they can win now, so they may kick the tires on bringing in Hamels on a one-two year deal. The assumption is they will proceed with caution in the wake of the 2018 Jason Vargas contract (two-years, $16 million). Nonetheless, Hamels still consistently touches 91-92 mph with his fastball, can eat innings, and is a reliable back end option in the rotation.

If the Mets bring him in, they will create depth in their rotation with former first round pick David Peterson waiting in the wings. If Hamels falters or if someone else in the rotation goes down with an injury, they can be replaced by Peterson, who is expected to start the 2020 season in Triple-A.