MLB Free Agent Focus: Why Cubs-Cole Hamels Reunion May Be Worth Considering

A potential non-Lester Cubs reunion to consider originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Hot Stove season is here, and NBC Sports Chicago is taking a look at free agents who could fit the Cubs’ needs — and budget. Next up is Braves starting pitcher Cole Hamels.

The winds of change are blowing on the North Side.

So far this offseason, we’ve seen Theo Epstein step down as Cubs team president and the club non-tender two members of their 2016 championship team, Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Schwarber. Jon Lester, another key part of that team, is a free agent — though he and the club have mutual interest in a reunion.

But if Lester signs elsewhere, there’s another free agent, lefty starting pitcher who profiles similarly to him, both as a pitcher and in possible market value, that could be a fit for the Cubs: Cole Hamels.

Hamels, 37 this month, spent parts of two seasons with the Cubs, coming over at the 2018 trade deadline in a deal with Texas. He made a big impact in that first season, posting a 2.36 ERA and 1.100 WHIP in 12 starts. He strengthened the rotation as Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood struggled in their first seasons with the team.

Those factors led the Cubs to pick up Hamels’ 2019 option worth $20 million and they got a good return on that investment in the first half. He was their best starting pitcher through three months, making 17 starts to go along with a 2.98 ERA and 1.204 WHIP.

The second half was a different story. Hamels strained his left oblique in late June and missed a month. His numbers spiked after he returned — 10 starts, 5.79 ERA, 1.833 WHIP — and he missed a start in September with left shoulder fatigue. He did come back for one more outing and looked dominant in four shutout innings against the Cardinals, however.

The Cubs let Hamels walk as a free agent and he joined the Braves on a one-year, $18 million deal. His season was marred by injuries, missing time in spring training with shoulder inflammation before starting the abbreviated season on the injured list with triceps tendinitis. Both ailments were in his throwing arm.

He came back and made one start in September, but Atlanta shut him down afterwards due to shoulder fatigue.

The Cubs, if Lester isn’t retained, have one projected rotation opening behind Darvish, Kyle Hendricks, Alec Mills and Adbert Alzolay. Chatwood and José Quintana, two other free agents, are unlikely to return.

Hamels is past his prime and his market will likely hinge on his medicals, which could mean a low-cost deal with incentives built in. That could be reasonable for the Cubs, who are trimming their payroll following a season of revenue losses.

If the Cubs trust his health and are comfortable with his market, Hamels may be worth taking a flier on as a crafty, experienced veteran to round out the rotation. He said in 2019 he loves pitching at Wrigley Field, where he’s fared well in his career.

Then again, they've already had discussions with Lester about a potential return, so that may be the more likely route.