Yankees: What would it take to acquire Cole Hamels?
Through nine starts the four-time All-Star has a respectable ERA of 3.48 with opponents hitting a meager .228 against him. His 1.28 WHIP is above his career average of 1.17 but his 9.9 K’s per nine innings is a career-best up to this point. Even though his velocity has dipped into the 92-93 mph range instead of 95-96 that tells you he still has good stuff and has plenty left in the tank.
One of the main reasons the Yankees might show interest in trading for Hamels in the coming months is his postseason experience. He’s a former World Series MVP back in 2008 and over the course of his career, his postseason ERA is a very solid 3.48 in 98.1 innings. Hamels knows how to win in October and this Yankee team is destined for some playoff baseball down the road.
According to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post the Ranger’s left-hander is well aware that he could be traded and that the Yankees are a team who could have interest in him.
"“You get traded once and you understand the possibilities are there. … The Yankees have a tremendous team. I feel like I have a lot left and I’ve been able to add more pitches and I haven’t had a serious injury.’’ “As you get older and if you are able to play well and keep up what I know I’m capable of doing, then sometimes each year you can be on a different team hunting down the postseason. It’s kind of the nature of where I think I am in my career and in my contract and in the situation.’’"
Durability has never been an issue for Hamels throughout his career but last season he posted a career low in innings. He also enters tonight’s start coming off some neck stiffness which forced him to miss his last start. The injury doesn’t seem to be too concerning, but if it continues to linger that could definitely affect his trade value.