RANGERS LAND HAMELS IN 8-PLAYER DEAL
The Texas Rangers acquired pitchers Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman, and cash from the Philadelphia Phillies for pitchers Matt Harrison, Jake Thompson, Jerad Eickhoff and Alec Asher, catcher Jorge Alfaro and outfielder Nick Williams.
What does it give the Texas Rangers
This deal was announced earlier in the week and is now official. In Hamels, the Rangers get a true ace left-handed starter who will lead the Rangers' staff for the rest of 2015, and then form an awesome 1-2 punch with the returning Yu Darvish (Tommy John surgery) next year. The Rangers paid a steep price for his services but he should help Texas be a contender in the AL West division for the foreseeable future. Diekman is another left-hander for the Rangers' bullpen.
What does it give the Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies did a great job of landing several quality prospects in exchange for their best player (Hamels). The biggest fetch is probably Alfaro, since Philadelphia was adamant about acquiring a catcher of the future in any Hamels deal. Alfaro may be a year away from taking over behind the plate. Williams has multi-tool talent and figures to join Philly's outfield fairly soon (maybe as early as '16). Thompson is the best of the pitching prospects acquired, while Harrison was included so as to balance out the money involved in this deal. Eickhoff and Asher also have some upside as potential starters (or relievers) in the big leagues.
Fantasy impact
Hamels is used to pitching in a hitter-friendly park, so his fantasy value shouldn't change too radically now that he's in Texas. Alfaro, Williams and Thompson should be on the keeper-league fantasy radar and all have solid potential. Harrison's fantasy value dips a bit now that he's on a non-contending team in Philadelphia, while Eickhoff and Asher are a bit away from becoming fantasy-relevant. Diekman may be used as a situational lefty in Texas.
Player focus
Philadelphia Phillies