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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 28, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Colby Rasmus (28) is congratulated after scoring during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Colby Rasmus (28) is congratulated after scoring during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Astros Should Not Trade for Cole Hamels

I completely understand the allure of trading for Cole Hamels. The Houston Astros have a starting pitching rotation that is flirting with dominance, but at the moment the team is basically swapping out spare parts as the No. 5 starter.

The Astros are also a ridiculous seven games ahead of the second place in their division. After a decade filled with embarrassment, failure and zero playoff appearances, Houston appears to be on the road to the playoffs, and they are doing so with a young team that has a level of chemistry I have not seen since the departure of local legends Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell.

Even considering the Astros’ recent success and very real playoff aspirations, a trade for Cole Hamels will cost way more than he is worth. In addition to the $96 million in guaranteed money that he has left on his absurd contract, and even more if the team picks up his option for the 2019 season, the Phillies are looking for a king’s ransom in return for him.

Any trade for Hamels that would be worthy of the Philadelphia’s consideration would absolutely bankrupt the Astros promising minor league system that currently consists of two top overall draft picks in Mark Appel and Carlos Correa, the No. 4 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America.

Although the Astros would surely never consider trading away their prized possession in the 20-year old Correa, Mark Appel is not off the table, and neither would the team’s two Top 10 selections in this year’s draft or any of their other very promising prospects.

Is Cole Hamels a dominating pitcher that would bolster a good rotation in search of the final piece to a championship puzzle?

Absolutely. He is also not worth mortgaging the bright future that the Houston Astros have invested so much time in building.

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