Both Hamels and Chapman Don’t Make Sense

Another day and another trade rumor involving an expensive big name connected to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Aftet Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported that the Dbacks talked to the Phillies about what it would take to get ace Cole Hamels.

A little under 3 hours ago Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported that the Diamondbacks are talking to the Reds about Aroldis Chapman and while Passan said it will take a lot, he said there “may be something there”

First of all I would like to say that both of these moves are really surprising.

This deadline is finally starting to get interesting and I love talking about it.

After winning 5 of their 6 this at least signals that the Dbacks are looking to be active and add pieces that can help them in the short and long run.

Look there is no question that I love the idea of the Diamondbacks checking in on big names becuase it proves that they care and there ready to win.

More from Venom Strikes

However, there is plenty of reasons to not like either of these deals and I will explain my reasons why.

The Dbacks don’t need Cole Hamels. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Cole Hamels

Yes everybody realizes that the Diamondbacks need starting pitching and that will probably be the teams no.1 priority for a while.

It might also be nice to have a true no.1 veteran ace that is consistent, durable, and can lead the young starters in the Dbacks rotation. That is what Cole Hamels would bring to the table and it’s certainly intriguing.

However, the Diamondbacks just aren’t ready to make this kind of move. Their coming off a season in which they finished with the worst record in baseball, and while they have been significantly trending in the right direction, they are at least a year or 2 away from being ready to make a deadline deal like this.

Look it just doesn’t make sense. The Dbacks despite their recent win streak are 8 games out in the divison and 7.5 games back in the wild card race.

They aren’t contending this year to this point and they haven’t shown that they can’t go on a long winning streak.

So it makes absolutely no sense to make the same mistake and mortgage the farm system to get Hamels who is owed $22 million in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

The asking price for Hamels would be way to much. It would take 2 of these 3: Archie Bradley, Braden Shipley, and Aaron Blair, pitchers you have been wanting to build your team around. It would take a position player on the MLB roster, and possibly a position player prospect.

The Dbacks just spent the past year rebuilding the farm system to fix Kevin Towers mistakes and have gotten good results.

This sounds like another desperation move and it just doesn’t make sense.

Remember 2007? The Dbacks in the winter traded for Dan Haren and gave up among others Brett Anderson and a guy named Carlos Gonzalez. Haren did well in Arizona but the Dbacks didn’t win with him and gave up a lot.

Jarod Parker, Adam Eaton and other young players have also been dealt in recent years.

The Dbacks can explore the 2016 free agent market and sign a no.1 like David Price if they really want to and they don’t have to give up prospects.

The Dbacks don’t need Aroldis Chapman. Photo Courtesy of Getty Images.

Aroldis Chapman

If Hamels doesn’t make sense, than acquiring Aroldis Chapman makes even less sense.

When you look at Chapman’s contract you will see why. Acquiring the fireball closer would go completely against the Dbacks philospy of acquiring controllable pieces.

Champman is owed $8.05 million this year. He has one year left of control before being eligible for arbitration and then he will hit the market. That isn’t exactly the definition of control.

Plus the Diamondbacks have a closer right now in Brad Ziegler who has shined in that role and while teams are interested, the Dbacks have no intentions in trading him. Ziegler is also under control for next season.

Again the asking price for Chapman would be high and the Dbacks just don’t need him. His 100 mph plus fastball would be fun to watch but it doesn’t make sense. If this team really does need a closer for next year, then wait till the winter.

Lets hope Dave Stewart passes on both Hamels and Chapman.

Home/Diamondbacks News