Dodgers: Which second tier starters make sense for the Dodgers?

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 16: Starting pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Chicago Cubs delivers the ball in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on September 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 16: Starting pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Chicago Cubs delivers the ball in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on September 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 20: Cole Hamels #35 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field on August 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Cole Hamels

While Cole Hamels is no spring chicken and will turn 36 years old in December, he still has plenty left in the tank for one more season.  Hamels has said he is open to a one year deal with a contender and being the favorite to win the National League in 2020, the Dodgers should appeal to Hamels.  But it takes two to tango, so why should the Dodgers consider signing Cole?

In 2019, Cole Hamels actually had a very strong season until he injured his oblique in late June.  In the first half of the season, Hamels compiled an ERA of 2.98 and he held the opposition to a .234 average.  After coming back from injury in August, Hamels struggled and pitched to an ERA over six.  For the season he finished with an ERA of 3.81.

Among all the free agents, Cole Hamels comes with plenty of postseason experience.  He has made 16 playoff starts in his career and has an ERA of 3.41.  Even on the back end of his career, he could still provide a boost to the rotation and be a backup option for the postseason if Dustin May and Julio Urias do not take a big leap forward in 2020. While Hamels may be older, Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer were both 35 this year when they helped the Nationals win a title.