Plenty of times the Texas Rangers shot down the idea that they were interested in Cole Hamels, some reports citing the asking price of either catcher Jorge Alfaro or outfielder Nomar Mazara being too much. But, a new report says that the Rangers are indeed very much still in on Cole Hamels, as are their fellow Texas counterpart.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports:
With 10 days to go before the trade deadline, the Rangers remain very much involved in talks with Philadelphia over ace lefty Cole Hamels, major league sources said Tuesday.
Philadelphia has spent much of the last two months scouting the farm systems of potential trade suitors for Hamels. The Rangers and Houston Astros appear to line up as two of the most desired partners. It could create a best-case scenario for Philadelphia with two AL West teams bidding against one another
The Astros and Rangers became division rivals with Houston's move to the National League West.
As for who the Phillies could get, the tide could be turning on Mazara or Alfaro:
The Rangers would likely have to give up a top prospect other than Joey Gallo to headline the deal. The most likely options: Outfielder Nomar Mazara or catcher Jorge Alfaro, who is out for the year with an ankle issue, but is still highly regarded. It is unclear what the Phillies would be seeking from Houston’s deep farm system.
Either would fit nicely into the Phillies system.
Other reports link the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers to Cole Hamels.
