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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams that should be all-in on Cole Hamels

By Joshua Sadlock

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 11: Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 11, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 11: Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 11, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 30: Sonny Gray #55 of the New York Yankees hands the ball to manager Aaron Boone #17 during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 11-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 30: Sonny Gray #55 of the New York Yankees hands the ball to manager Aaron Boone #17 during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 11-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees have a potential major problem on their hands if right-hander Sonny Gray cannot right the ship. Gray is 5-6 on the year with a 5.44 ERA and has allowed 16 earned runs in his last 19 innings. Over his last four starts, opponents are hitting .347/.388/.547. The Yankees are 7-9 in his 16 starts, of which only six have earned the “quality-start” designation.

Gray’s struggles might not be such a problem for the Yankees if they were not already dealing with a thin rotation. Masahiro Tanaka is battling hamstring problems, while Jordan Montgomery is done for the year after Tommy John. Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga have given the Yankees mixed results since joining the rotation and are unproven for a stretch run.

It no longer feels like a matter of if the Yankees pull the trigger on a deal for a starter, but when. Gerrit Cole was a favorite target of the fanbase this winter, but a deal never developed. The options on the block this summer are limited, and Hamels and New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom look like the most appealing targets for the Yankees.

deGrom is the best pitcher who will be readily available this summer (the Mets say they are open to trading Noah Syndergaard, but the rest of the league will balk at the asking price). He is the best answer for the Yankees, but the cost there will also be prohibitive. New York and Texas have a history of working together on trades. The Rangers should be willing to make the money work out in a potential deal with the Yankees, who have plenty of prospects to offer in return for some financial relief.

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