The Texas Rangers are linked to Cole Hamels again.
No, it’s not what you’re thinking.
The Chicago Cubs picked up the option on Cole Hamels’ contract for the 2019 season on Friday.
Hamels will make $20 million next season on the team option. Had the Cubs declined Hamels’ option, the Rangers would have been on the hook for $6 million as part of the July trade that sent him to Chicago.
Instead, the Rangers acquired left-hander Drew Smyly and a player to be named later in a trade with the Cubs for a player to be named later.