Rangers could be ideal trading partner for Phillies with Hamels

TORONTO - Throughout the months of speculation regarding where Cole Hamels will pitch the final three-plus guaranteed years of his contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers have often been mentioned as an apt trading partner for the Phillies.

That remains the case in the final days leading to the highly anticipated trade deadline. But with the days passing until 4 p.m. Friday, the Texas Rangers - reportedly along with the Dodgers the front-runners to land Hamels - might be the ideal team for the Phillies to trade their 31-year-old ace.

Despite entering the week 47-50, 7.5 games behind the American League West-leading Los Angeles Angels and 4.5 games back of the Minnesota Twins in the crowded wild-card race, the Rangers could acquire Hamels with an eye toward next season. Even if they miss the postseason this fall, trading for the Phillies' ace would allow them to come back in 2016 with a rotation headlined by Hamels, Yu Darvish, and Derek Holland.

Regarding possible returns for the Phillies, the Rangers might have the most to offer in terms of prospects. The Dodgers' farm system is flush with young talent but if they will not part with shortstop Corey Seager, arguably baseball's best prospect, or 18-year-old Mexican lefthander Julio Urias, it could prove more difficult for the two clubs to reach a deal.

On the other hand, if the Rangers make power-hitting third baseman Joey Gallo unavailable in a trade, they still boast several other promising prospects who have already reached double A or higher.

Nomar Mazara, 20, and Nick Williams, 21, are each lefthanded-hitting outfielders with pop playing for the Rangers' double-A Frisco affiliate in the Texas League.

The 22-year-old Jorge Alfaro, said to need work behind the plate but touted for his bat and rocket arm, is among baseball's top catching prospects. (Alfaro suffered a potentially season-ending ankle injury in June, though, which could complicate his inclusion in a potential trade.)

Righthanders Jake Thompson, 21, and Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez, 23, are Texas' top two minor-league arms. The Rangers acquired Thompson in last July's trade of closer Joakim Soria to the Detroit Tigers.

Charley Kerfeld, a special assistant to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., scouted double-A Frisco's game on Monday night, according to FoxSports.com. Thompson started, surrendering six earned runs over six innings, and Williams and Mazara started in centerfield and leftfield, respectively, batting first and third.

Gonzalez, the Rangers' first-round draft pick in 2013, already has made seven major-league starts. The Phillies would certainly like young players closer to the majors than not to help as soon as possible. Gonzalez could do that.

The Rangers, like the Dodgers, are also not among the 20 teams to which Hamels can block a trade, so they would not have to guarantee his $20 million team option for 2019. Ultimately, however, the Hamels' sweepstakes will come down to whichever team offers what the Phillies feel is the best package.

If team president Pat Gillick, incoming president Andy MacPhail and Amaro don't find a return to their liking, more months of speculation will be on the way.

Two days after throwing his first career no-hitter, Hamels was named the National League's co-player of the week, sharing the honor with Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. It is Hamels' second such career accolade, the first came when he posted a combined 1.62 ERA over two starts during the week of Aug. 13-19, 2012.

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Nomar Mazara. The lefthanded hitting outfielder is the Rangers' second-best prospect, according to Baseball America. He boasts a .799 on-base plus slugging percentage in his first full season in double A.

Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez. The 23-year-old righthander (23d overall pick in 2013) has a fastball with movement, a slider, and change-up.

Jorge Alfaro. Considered one of the best catching prospects in baseball. An ankle injury has sidelined the 22-year-old Colombian slugger since June 10.

Nick Williams. He is 21 and in his first full season in double A, hitting .302 with an .848 OPS.

Jake Thompson. The Rangers' top pitching prospect mixes a fastball, slider, curveball, and change-up and has a 4.41 ERA in 16 double-A starts this season.

Lewis Brinson. The 21-year-old centerfielder entered this week hitting .327 in high-A ball with an impressive .998 OPS. He was the Rangers' first-round pick (29th overall) in 2012.

- Jake KaplanEndText

@jakemkaplan