A trade which seemed to take years to finalize, has reportedly been made official. According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman deal, sending them to the Texas Rangers, is 'finally official'.
Remember that Cole Hamels deal you thought got done like 38 hours ago? Finally official. He's starting for #Rangers tomorrow.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2015
In the trade, the Phillies have received veteran left-hander Matt Harrison and five prospects: top catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams and right-handers Alec Asher, Jake Thompson and Jerad Eickhoff.
Hamels is slated to make his Rangers debut Saturday evening. He will oppose veteran right hander Tim Hudson and the San Francisco Giants (56-45), who trail the Los Angeles Dodgers (57-45) by a half-game in the National League West division.
Rangers' beat writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jeff Wilson, reports that Hamels, along with Diekman, will arrive at Globe Life Park in Arlington later today.
Plan is for Cole Hamels to start for #Rangers on Saturday. He and Jake Diekman will arrive to DFW/Globe Life Park later today.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) July 31, 2015
Wilson later added that Hamels, 31, will take Harrison's spot in the rotation and that 23-year-old southpaw Alex Claudio would likely be optioned to make room for Diekman.
Hamels has one career appearance at Globe Life, which occurred on June 28, 2008. He earned a winning decision, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings on the mound.
While Diekman will switch from wearing No. 63 in Philadelphia to No. 41 with the Rangers, Hamels will continue to wear No. 35 according to John Blake, Executive Vice President of Communications for the Texas Rangers. That number with the Rangers previously belonged to 26-year-old right hander Phil Klein.
The 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player will speak to the Phillies' media one last time today at 2 p.m. EST in a 'send off' news conference, according to Comcast SportsNet's Jim Salisbury. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. will speak at 1:30 pm.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
