MLB: Chicago poaching in Texas

Chicago Cubs are doing better pitching: On Thursday, the 2016 champion and Texas Rangers agreed on a trade for Starting Pitcher Cole Hamels. In return, the Texans receive several prospects.

The deal is not officially done yet, as there are still medical checks pending for the players involved. But according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, Hamels has already cleared his locker and left the team.

As far as compensation is concerned, several media report that right-handed Rollie Lacy will be the central player in the package. Lacy has played in Single-A and Single-A Advanced so far this year and stands at a 2.45 ERA. According to MLB Pipeline’s current prospect list, however, the 23-year-old is not one of the top talents of the Cubs organization.

Other players who will go to Texas have not yet been determined, but one could also be named later, the other is said to be another minor league pitcher.

This season Hamels is on a 4.72 ERA over 114 1/3 innings for the Rangers. He made 114 strikeouts and 42 walks. This leads to a 99 ERA+.

Hamels is in the last guaranteed year of a six-year contract dating from 2013, earning $22.5 million this season and including a $2019 million club option including a $6 million buyout.

Hamels’ deal also includes a partial no-trade clause for 20 teams, but the Cubs are not among those.

This article was published without previous view by the Major League Baseball.