We're about 72 hours from the MLB trade deadline, which comes down at 3 p.m. CDT on Friday, and your Texas Rangers are still considered the frontrunner for Phillies ace Cole Hamels, who tossed a no-hitter on Saturday.
The Rangers have the league's third-best farm system, according to a recent ranking from ESPN's Keith Law, so they have plenty of pieces to dangle to the Phillies for their staff ace, who would be paired with Yu Darvish atop the rotation for the next two years, and beyond that if they can re-sign Darvish, who is free after 2017.
From what we've all been told, there is one guy, and one guy only, who the Rangers wouldn't consider dealing for three-plus years of Hamels atop the rotation and that's Joey Gallo, who will slide into Adrian Beltre's spot as the Rangers' third baseman after next season.
Although recent reports from Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal say the Rangers are also unwilling to include left-handed hitting corner outfielder Nomar Mazara in any deal. On that note, take a quick glance at Rosenthal's Twitter account from Monday evening to see who the Rangers have thrown on the table, and it's a pretty nice list.
About to list names that have surfaced in #Rangers’ pursuit of #Phillies’ Hamels, some more recently than others. TEX would not get ‘em all. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2015
Per sources, names in talks have included: C Jorge Alfaro, RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez, OF Nick Williams, RHP Luis Ortiz, OF Lewis Brinson. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2015
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#Rangers will not move Mazara in Hamels deal, one source says. Will yield on Alfaro only if #Phillies add more $$$. Want to keep Chi Chi. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2015
So there you go, folks.
If you want Hamels, you're looking at Wiliams, Alfaro and Gonzalez to start with, and you know what? It just might be worth it.
