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MLB Trade Rumors: Should the Houston Astros acquire Cole Hamels?

By Josh Criswell

Aug 15, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) looks on in the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) looks on in the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Why the Astros Should Trade for Cole Hamels

If the Houston Astros need further reason to seriously consider trading for Cole Hamels, all they need to do is look at the last roster to take them to the playoffs.

The 2005 Astros were far from an offensive juggernaut, but that did not stop them from winning the organization’s first National League pennant. What led them there was dominant pitching. That roster included three aces at starting pitcher in Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte Roy Oswalt, as well as two solid players at the back end of the rotation in Brandon Backe and Wandy Rodriguez.

That is correct, the No. 5 man in the pitching rotation, Rodriguez was the team’s No. 1 starter just a few years later.  Unfortunately, everybody else left the organization shortly after that 2005 World Series, leaving the Astros with Rodriguez and nothing else at starting pitcher.

The Astros have finally returned to MLB success, at least momentarily, and that is largely due to solid starting pitching. Houston’s starters have compiled a very respectable 3.64 ERA this season, but that can mainly be attributed to the outstanding play of Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh at the top of the rotation.

Jeff Lunhow is open to the idea of a trade, particularly for an established pitcher, mainly because the team still does not have a clue who its No. 5 starter is.

"“We probably will explore rotation adds that makes sense for our team, because we’ve had a lot of rotating doors so far in the fifth spot,” Lunhow told the Houston Chronicle. “There are scenarios where we would continue to invest in this team as the year goes on in order to maximize our chances of not just getting to the playoffs, but being better in the playoffs.”"

The final part of Lunhow’s statement sums up the Astros vision perfectly. Houston has not sat in obscurity for the past decade to become just a playoff team. They want to become a dangerous playoff team.

I cannot think of a better way to get there than by adding one of the best pitchers in baseball to the roster. It is what took the Astros to the verge of a championship in 2005, and Cole Hamels is the type of player could quite possibly help them return to that pinnacle.

Next: Why the Astros should not trade for Cole Hamels

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