When the Philadelphia Phillies signed Cole Hamels to a six-year contract extension, in 2012, they believed he could help extend their long run of success. Instead, after five consecutive division titles, the Phillies collapsed. On Wednesday, they succumbed to their new reality.
The Phillies agreed to send Hamels to the Texas Rangers in an eight-player deal, according to an official with direct knowledge of the talks. The official was granted anonymity because the sides had not announced the trade. It was the second major move in two days for the Phillies, who sent closer Jonathan Papelbon to Washington on Tuesday.