Are the Seattle Mariners in on Cole Hamels?

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 1: Former Seattle Mariners backfielder Ichiro Suzuki, now instructor and special assistant to the chairman, speaks to Cole Hamels # 35 of the Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson / Getty Images)

The Seattle Mariners are in an interesting position … they’re in the playoff picture, so to speak, but they probably didn’t expect to be there at the start of the season. The organization is still very young and the harvest on the farm is just beginning to ripen.

With this in mind, many questions have been asked about how the Mariners would approach the trading deadline. And from what we’ve heard, Jerry Dipoto is interested in adding a starting pitcher, bat, and right-handed second baseman.

Are the Seattle Mariners in Cole Hamels?

Jon Heyman said 20 teams attended the Veteran Left-Handed Show in Frisco, Texas today. Were the Mariners one of those teams? Cole Hamels threw two 30-pitch bullpens and his fastball hit an average speed of 88.5 mph. The former World Series MVP has recovered from his injuries from last year which allowed him to throw just 3.1 innings.

The 37-year-old left-hander has been doing well since he left the Phillies. As a 32-year-old, he made it into the All-Star Team with the Rangers in 2016 and has hovered around the 4.00 ERA mark ever since. In 2019, he threw 141.2 innings for the Cubs, finishing with a 3.81 ERA. I think it’s clear Hamels is 2.79 ERA days behind him, but he has the potential to be a solid back-end pitcher.

Why it makes sense for the Seattle Mariners to sign Cole Hamels

Jerry Dipoto says he’s interested in bringing in a starter mug this month. Cole Hamels is not a bad option because we wouldn’t have to exchange prospects.

Another reason I think Hamels is a viable option is because of his experience. The Seattle Mariners rotation is young and could definitely use a guy like Cole Hamels as a mentor. Hamels knows what it is like to fight, to be in the playoffs and to win in the playoffs.

After all, I think the Mariners are at a point where they can take a risk. Why not take a risk and hope for the best for a man who has had an illustrious career? And if it ends up being a terrible signature, what then? The team is pretty far from even making the playoffs and it would take a miracle to catch up.

Why it doesn’t make sense for the Seattle Mariners to sign Cole Hamels

The perceived train of thought is that Jerry wants to trade Dipoto for a player who would benefit us in the long term. With a veteran struggling with injuries last season, I don’t think it’s very wise to expect Hamels to play two seasons for the Mariners. So from that perspective, it doesn’t make much sense for Jerry Dipoto to sign Hamels.

GM Jerry DiPoto told us they would be more aggressive if they could add a player in the longer term, “help us win now and later,” but “we also have to stay disciplined” @MLBNetworkRadio

– Jim Duquette (@Jim_Duquette) July 16, 2021

But if Hamels can’t find a deal he likes and an admirer, the Seattle Mariners could seriously be a new home for him.