Cubs Acquire Cole Hamels for Eddie Butler, Rollie Lacy & PTBNL

[jersey cubs fan]

While Maddon was doing his postgame press conference, a smiling Epstein was seen walking by on his way to Maddon’s office.

“Did he just have a good Italian beef sandwich?” Maddon joked. “Or a banana in his pocket, I don’t know.”

#MeToo

[The_Achiever]

Really like this, wanted one more starter to throw into the mix.

[Banedon]

[UMFan83]

He has a team option after this year right? Not that they will pick it up or anything even if he turns into an ace down the stretch and wins the world series.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

He has a team option after this year right? Not that they will pick it up or anything even if he turns into an ace down the stretch and wins the world series.

I think the idea is the 5 million is inclusive of Hamels' 2018 salary plus his buyout. Or put another way, the Cubs would be absolutely crazy to go into the luxury tax for Cole Hamels given the effort they've taken to avoid that outcome so far.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

He has a team option after this year right? Not that they will pick it up or anything even if he turns into an ace down the stretch and wins the world series.

Yup, $20 million team option with a $6 million dollar buyout that the Rangers are picking up. But yeah, no chance they pick it up.

[jersey cubs fan]

He has a team option after this year right? Not that they will pick it up or anything even if he turns into an ace down the stretch and wins the world series.

Never say never. If the dude magically goes all ace down the stretch and wins the world series with a bigass effort in the playoffs they will at least consider paying him $20m to pitch next year. Not that there's any real chance of that happening.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

bye Eddie

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Eddie will thrive in that ballpark I'm sure

[UMFan83]

Damn you'd think that they'd want to give him one last rotation shot before dealing him, but I guess the FO is sick of pitchers who walk everyone and Butler is a poor man's Chatwood.

[stitchface]

Instead of a six man rotation, will the Cubs use caddy starters and have each go through the order twice? ie 4-5 inning starter and 4-5 inning reliever?

[UMFan83]

Instead of a six man rotation, will the Cubs use caddy starters and have each go through the order twice? ie 4-5 inning starter and 4-5 inning reliever?

Lester - Normal Outing
Hendricks - Montgomery
Quintana - Chavez
Hamels - Rizzo
Darvish - Chatwalk

[stitchface]

I don't think Rizzo wants to risk ruining his 0.00 lifetime ERA

[Post Count Padder]

That's a pretty fair deal. Butler is whatever and one of Rob Z/Underwood/Mills could replace his production (heck Farrell and Bass were doing just that while he was on the DL). Lacy is having a nice year but we have other pitchers similar to him so he's not a big loss. I'd still like to add another reliever but I'm pleased with this and the Chavez trade. Sneaky good moves without giving up much.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Never say never. If the dude magically goes all ace down the stretch and wins the world series with a bigass effort in the playoffs they will at least consider paying him $20m to pitch next year. Not that there's any real chance of that happening.

Isn't it essentially $14m leftover with the Rangers sending $6m? That doesn't seem all that crazy. Hell, the Cubs paid Lackey $16m last year.

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[David]

[cubsclapp]

One thing I noticed is that Hamel's ERA entering July was 3.61 before 4 really poor starts. I'm thinking his peripherals predicted this decline based on how poor they are now but its also possible he is also suffering through a dead arm period or something like that.

Brooks has Hamels’ velocity in July as the highest it’s been in any month the last 2 years (93.03 four-seamer, 92.70 sinker).

[jehr]

Sounds like Hamels will start on Wednesday. Chatwood is out of the pen beginning on Tuesday...bout time!

[TomtheBombadil]

Glad someone noted this - especially the cutter and curveball. Hamels' curveball has quietly been a strong pitch for a long time and it's maybe time in his career to throw it more often. He throws the cutter plenty. Between the quality of his secondaries and the in-season climb in FB velocity, whiff, and popup rates on the fastball there's plenty to be optimistic about. I actually checked his Brooks Baseball page before seeing his season stats because a team in the Cubs' position would not rent a veteran with Hamels' pedigree based on the latest half season's ERA/FIP numbers.

[Regular Show]

[NOLA]

[Perd]

Ahh, the good old days, when the worst we had to worry about was Jason Hammel.

[big ball chunky time]

Ahh, the good old days, when the worst we had to worry about was Jason Hammel.

man by fwar hammels would be like our third best starter this year

[d_money]

What’s the team option for 2019 on Hamels? Would he be interested in a 2 year deal?

[CyHawk_Cub]

What’s the team option for 2019 on Hamels? Would he be interested in a 2 year deal?

Team option for $20 million or $6 million buyout (which would be paid by Rangers). If Cubs elect to bring him back for $20 million, the Rangers are off the hook for any future $$; Cubs would get no salary relief.