The New York Yankees are expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline as they look to strengthen their roster before the postseason, and while they have been most heavily linked to Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado, Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels may be their top target.
However, it's far from a guarantee they land Hamels. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that New York will go after Hamels - but he expects them to lose out on him.
The Rangers are not going to pick up his $20 million option in 2019, which includes a $6 million buyout, and would love to dump as much of his $23 million salary now. Hamels, a four-time All-Star and 2008 World Series MVP, is just 3-5 with a 3.74 ERA, but has a postseason pedigree that would be ideal for any contender, particularly in the National League.
Prediction: The Brewers may be on Hamels' no-trade list, but for a chance to return to the playoffs, Hamels will waive it in a heartbeat.
The Yankees were looking to upgrade their rotation this offseason and were in the race to sign Yu Darvish, but after trading for Giancarlo Stanton, they didn't have enough space under the luxury tax threshold to sign him.
Hamels does have plenty of postseason experience, namely winning the NLCS and World Series MVP in 2008 with the Philadelphia Phillies, which certainly appeals to New York.
The 34-year-old is 3-5 with a 3.63 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 12 starts this season.
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