Yankees: Which starting pitcher could they acquire before the trade deadline?

Cole Hamels

I want to begin with the biggest name on my shortlist of starters the Yankees should chase this season. Hamels is currently in his 13th big league season but is pitching only slightly worse than his younger self. With a 3.69 ERA in 14 games this season supported by a .229 batting average against while leaving over 80 percent of his runners on base, the 34-year-old is not showing his age.

The only troubles Hamels has faced this season is his elevated home run rate; 1.90 home runs per nine innings, the highest of his career. Hamels has surrendered more line drives and fly balls this season compared to previous seasons which could be to blame for the 18 home runs given up thus far.

But the most extreme discrepancy of this season to others for Hamels is the quality of contact by batters faced. Near 50 percent of his batted balls against are considered to be hit “hard”; as opposed to his career rate of 29 percent.

Nevertheless, Hamels’ evolving game has shown its prosperity. His pitch usage has vastly adapted to his aging body. His original three-pitch repertoire from 2007, which consisted of a four-seam fastball, a curveball, and a changeup has developed into five pitches this year (four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, curveball, slider, and changeup).

To further show Hamels’ ability to progress, each of his pitch usage rates has drastically changed, including his fastball which has dropped in usage by almost 30 percent since 2007.

Hamels is currently the ace of the Texas Rangers staff but with one year left on his hefty contract in which he will be paid $22.5 million this season ($2.5 million by the Phillies) and another $20 million next year, a deal for Hamels would eat up much of that luxury tax stockpile.

Being that the Rangers are 19 games behind first place in their division, they might be looking to unload a large salary such as Hamels, who has little future upside left.