Updated 10:41pm EST on 7/29/2015
There are even more players being swapped than initially thought, with RHP prospect Alec Asher headed to Philly and both cash and LHP Jake Diekman headed Texas' way:
Told even more players in Hamels deal than what is being reported by others: Hamels, Diekman, cash for Alfaro, Williams, Eickhoff, Asher.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2015
In addition, 29-year-old Rangers starter Matt Harrison is also reportedly part of the Philadelphia Phillies' return package. He is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts in his return from back fusion surgery.
There is no word just yet on how much cash is changing hands in this deal, but stay tuned.
Original Text
The Texas Rangers have an agreement to acquire lefty ace Cole Hamels from the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports and MLB.com's TR Sullivan:
#Rangers have agreement to acquire Cole Hamels from #Phillies, source confirms to @FOXSports. @Sullivan_Ranger first to report.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2015
Philadelphia has been shopping Hamels for over a year, and the Rangers have been heavily pursuing him for the past few weeks. The 31-year-old is under contract through 2018, and they also hold a club option for the 2019 season.
Texas is a non-traditional deadline buyer as they're not in the thick of the playoff race, but they loved the idea of pairing Hamels with their current ace Yu Darvish as they compete for a World Series ring starting next season.
RHP Jerad Eickhoff, C Jorge Alfaro and OF Nick Williams are three prospects confirmed by Sullivan as part of the trade package heading back to Philadelphia, with at least one more player expected to be added.
Hamels, 31, threw the first solo no-hitter of his career at Wrigley against the Chicago Cubs this weekend, upping his record to 6-7 and dropping his ERA to 3.64 and WHIP to 1.18. He has 137 strikeouts in 128.2 innings pitched which amounts to just over 1.05 per inning. He is owed a combined $67.5 million from 2016-18 with a 2019 option worth $20 million (accompanied by a $6 million buyout).
Stay tuned to Chat Sports for additional information as it is made available.
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