Monday marks the 10-year anniversary of the Philadelphia Phillies clinching their second World Series title. But any hopes that Cole Hamels, who was the MVP of that series, will reach free-agency this offseason seem to have a good chance to be dashed this week.
Before Friday, Hamels’ current employer, the Chicago Cubs, have to either choose to exercise his $20 million option for 2019 or to buy him out of that option for $6 million, a tab that Connor Byrne of MLB Trade Rumors reminds us would be picked up by the Texas Rangers, who the Cubs acquired Hamels from prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.