Jack Merlino
(To the Philly fans, listen to this while you're reading to enhance the mood)
In a move that was shocking because of the timing more than anything else, Philadelphia pitcher, ace, 2008 World Series MVP, and fan favorite Cole Hamels was traded to the Texas Rangers for a package of five minor leaguers and major-league pitcher Matt Harrison.
After the market for Detroit pitcher David Price began to gain steam, reports said that the Phillies would likely be waiting until Thursday the 30th or even the deadline on Friday the 31st to decide on a Hamels trade. Despite that, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. (and company) linked up with Texas and came away with a package that left many Philadelphia sportswriters and fans alike happy.
Philadelphia will receive prospects in right-handed pitchers Jake Thompson, Jared Eickhoff, and Alec Asher, catcher Jorge Alfaro, and outfielder Nick Williams. All are were in the top-30 of Rangers prospects. Three were in the top-5 or 6, depending on which list you're looking at. Matt Harrison, who has been in the league since 2008, will fill the rotation spot left by Hamels and eat innings while the Phils wait for a younger pitcher to take his place.
Williams is arguably the biggest piece of this deal as a legitimate 5-tool prospect. Prior to the trade, he was having a great season for AA-Frisco during which he showed solid power and hit tools all while improving his walk/strikeout rates. These decrease the risk associated with him going into the season; Baseball America wrote of him this past winter that he had just as likely a chance to be the next Felix Pie as he does the next Carlos Gonzalez.
Jorge Alfaro might've been able to spare the Rangers a prospect or two in this deal had he been healthy. Instead, he'll miss the rest of the year with an ankle injury. If he can come back, the Phils should at least have the offensive equivalent of Cameron Rupp, which is all bat and little defense. That's not to say he's worthless outside of the batters' box; his arm has gotten the highest grades from scouts. His pitch-receiving is what needs work, along with his plate discipline.
Jake Thompson is clearly the best pitcher of the three (four if you include Harrison). Most scouts give him the chance to be a #2 pitcher, but more likely a #3. If this sounds familiar, that's because it's the same thing everyone was saying about Aaron Nola. With a big-time fastball and a wicked slider, he's a safe bet to join the Phillies' rotation at a very young age (he's 21 and in AA).
In Eickhoff and Asher, the Phils at least have two guys with futures in the bullpen. With Eickhoff, you have a kid who throws two plus pitches in a 97 mph heater and sharp curve. Whether he evolves into a late-inning reliever or a mid-rotation horse depends on the development of his changeup, which is presently mediocre at best.
Asher is most likely to be a back-end-rotation type of guy due to his having no plus pitch. A decent fastball, slider, and change have enabled him to progress through the minors quickly with a consistent, okay level of success. Since he was with Texas' AAA affiliate prior to the trade, he could end up being the first prospect of this deal to crack the bigs.
Harrison's claim to fame was getting destroyed by Allen Craig and Albert Pujols en route to losing Game 3 of the 2011 World Series. At best, he'll reliably eat up innings while Philly fans wait for literally anyone else to unseat him. At worst...? Remember John Lannan?
Philadelphia also sent lefty reliever Jake Diekman to Texas in the deal. Diekman, who could dial his fastball up to 99 mph, never found the success that Philadelphia fans were waiting for, aside from stretches of it in 2014.
This deal is another signifier of the ever-progressing end of an era in Philadelphia. Second baseman Chase Utley and catcher Carlos Ruiz are candidates to be August waiver pickups, which would leave first baseman Ryan Howard as the only remaining member of the 2008 Championship team. Unless a team surprises us all with a claim or trade, the Phillies will be stuck with him until his contract runs out. Until that time, these three remaining champions can only hope to enjoy their remaining time together.
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