The Braves have checked in on Cole Hamels and are reportedly “in” on the veteran southpaw, according to Steve Phillips of MLB Network Radio. The report came shortly after news broke that the Cubs were making an inroads with the Rangers to acquire Hamels.
On the surface, Hamels, 34, has not been good by almost any measure this year. He owns a 4.72 ERA, 5.20 FIP and is surrendering more home runs than almost any starter in baseball (3rd most on a nine-inning basis out of 80 qualified starters). He’s owed roughly $10 million through the end of 2018 and has a hefty $6 million buy-out clause for 2019.