MLB Trade Retrospective: Texas Rangers Acquire Cole Hamels

The Rangers Make a Run

The Rangers got hot after this trade. They were 18-10 in August and 18-10 in September. They started in third place at the time of this deal, moved into second place on August 22, and took over first place on September 15. They actually stretched their lead up to 4.5 games by September 25, but faltered in the last week-and-a-half of the season as they lost five of eight games from September 26 to October 3. Heading into the final game of the season, they were just a single game ahead of the Houston Astros.

It was Cole Hamels time. He came through with a complete game victory in a game the Rangers won 9-2. The Houston Astros lost their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers ended up winning the AL West by two games.

Cole Hamels was a key contributor to the Rangers’ second half success. He was 7-1 with a 3.66 ERA (3.79 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9. Jake Diekman also turned out to be a great pickup. He had walked 5.9 batters per nine innings with the Phillies, but cut that to 2.9 BB/9 with the Rangers. He pitched 26 games in relief and picked up 10 holds while posting a 2.08 ERA (3.60 FIP), 0.92 WHIP, and 8.3 K/9.

Next: An Epic Five-Game ALDS