Cole Hamels trade rumors: Texas Rangers won't part with Mazara for Hamels

Cole Hamels trade rumors:  The Texas Rangers will not part with Nomar Mazara in a trade for Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels, according to Ken Rosenthal on Twitter.

In a series of tweets, Rosenthal says that the Rangers will not part with 20 year old outfielder Mazara in a Hamels trade, don't want to give up righthanded pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez, and will only give up catcher Jorge Alfaro in a deal if the Phillies kick more cash in the deal towards Hamels' contract.

Gonzalez, the Rangers' first round draft pick in 2013, was in the Rangers' rotation this summer before the return of Martin Perez and Matt Harrison, and is the Rangers' most advanced starting pitcher prospect.  Alfaro has been viewed as the team's catcher of the future, although he's on the d.l. right now and is expected to miss the rest of the year after undergoing ankle surgery.

Rosenthal also lists outfielders Lewis Brinson and Nick Williams and pitcher Luis Ortiz as players who have been discussed in a possible Hamels trade.  Brinson, the Rangers' first round pick in 2012, has an OPS near 1000 in high-A High Desert, and is a true centerfielder with strong tools across the board.  Williams, the team's second round pick in 2012, is seen as having a terrific hit tool, and has made strides with his approach this season.  Ortiz was the Rangers' first round pick in 2014, and was having a solid season at low-A Hickory before he was sidelined with arm soreness.

Hamels is under contract at $21.5M per year through 2018, with a vesting option that includes a buyout for the 2019 season.  The Rangers have been viewed, along with the Dodgers, as the top candidates to make a deal for Hamels, should Philadelphia choose to trade the lefthander.