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MLB Free Agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Jason Hammel

By Brendan Dlubala

Jul 22, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jason Hammel
May 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Phillie Phanatic entertains in front of a scoreboard prior to action against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are in a very interesting situation entering the 2017 season. They showed off a lot of young talent last season and much of it was in their starting rotation. Aaron Nola, Vincent Velasquez, and Jared Eickhoff stood out most as promising pitchers of the future.

Jeremy Hellickson will be returning after he agreed to the $17.2 million qualifying offer but outside of him, there lacks a veteran presence with a dependable arm. Jason Hammel can slide in on a multi-year deal while the Phillies continue to improve and grow and look to re-take the NL East.

Out of the six pitchers who started for Philly in 2016, only two made more than 24 starts: Jared Eickhoff and Jeremy Hellickson. Nola, Velasquez, Eflin and Morgan all missed significant time due to injury or minor league service. Compare that to Jason Hammel who has pitched three consecutive 30-game seasons entering 2017.

Hammel has also posted three consecutive seasons with an ERA under 4.00. For a staff that features mainly pitchers that debuted in 2016, this is an exceptionally valuable quality with the unpredictability of the young throwers. Nola, Velazquez, and Eickhoff all saw success last season, but as many young pitchers do, they also ran into trouble.

Hammel can help bridge that gap for Philadelphia and he can also help the team weather the storm if their other young pitchers do struggle. He’s pitched on a number of teams that were successful and unsuccessful and that experience is valuable for a young ball club. He’s also pitched his way into and out of trouble which is something young players don’t always know how to handle.

The Phillies can rely on him for their 2017 run while also using him as a mentor to their future aces Nola and Velasquez. After the 2017 season, assuming Hammel will sign a multi-year deal, he will certainly factor into their road to success. The Phillies are well on their way to becoming a playoff contender and while Hammel is leaving one championship team, he can be a part of another.

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