Houston Astros have chance to strike again with Cole Hamels
The Houston Astros were the first team to make a splash as the trade deadline approaches, trading for Oakland Athletics starter Scott Kazmir on Wednesday. Kazmir’s off to a great start in Houston, as he fired seven shutout innings against the Royals in his Astros debut Thursday.
The Astros were smart in identifying a need, striking early and ensuring they filled said need. And while there are still other needs to fill, they are reportedly focused on “adding talent” in any way, shape or form. And they have a chance to do that right away. If they so choose, they can strike early again before any other team has done so once.
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Phillies ace Cole Hamels fired a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs on Friday in what may be his final start for Philadelphia. The start surely ramped up the already-significant interest in the three-time All-Star, and Ruben Amaro will likely be fielding more phone calls on Saturday than he has all month.
If the Astros really want to position themselves to jump the Angels, they need to be on the other end of as many of those phone calls as possible. While Kazmir adds significant depth to the Houston rotation, slotting Hamels alongside Dallas Keuchel at the top suddenly pushes Collin McHugh, who would be a third starter on a lot of teams, to the fifth spot in the team’s rotation and gives the Astros two legitimate aces at the top. They’d still likely have to add a bat either in the outfield or at first base, but their pitching rotation would compete with any in the American League.
The Phillies will likely wait a few days to deal Hamels in order to maximize return, but the Astros have the prospects to get a deal done. Building a deal around hit-or-miss Mark Appel, whose close-to-the-bigs status will appeal to the Phillies, as well as Vincent Velazquez, Brett Phillips and one or two mid-tier prospects gives Philadelphia two quality prospects that can contribute almost immediately as well as a power outfield bat that should be ready in mid-2017 at the latest.
While other teams have the prospects to make the deal work, the Astros likely have the most quality prospects that they would be willing to deal, and with Hamels signed through 2018, he’s worth dealing them for. But with those other clubs all in the mix, Houston would be wise to learn from recent successes and jump the gun to get their guy.