The Phillies once believed that they could contend this year, but the confidence of the five-time defending NL East winners seems to have dwindled, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com writes. Now Phillies people say things like "you don't know if a team is just going to blow you out of the water" for a player of Cole Hamels’ caliber. Here’s the latest on Hamels, who would arguably be the top available pitcher if the Phillies put him on the market:
- People who know Hamels believe him when he says he likes Philadelphia, Knobler reports. "I've had no indication that he doesn't want to be here," GM Ruben Amaro told Knobler. Hamels’ contract expires after the season and he'd presumably command a contract of at least five years for $20MM-plus per season on the open market.
- The Phillies won't trade Hamels before trying to sign him to a long-term deal, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. They have discussed Hamels with other teams but would prefer to keep him. "Since we are built on pitching, and have had success with it, having those three guys are essential, if possible,'' Amaro said in reference to Hamels, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay.
- The Rangers watched Hamels’ start last night, Knobler adds.
My guess is that the Rangers trade for Grienke who seems more agreeable to sign a long term deal with Texas. Hamels comes off as someone who would rather play NL baseball. One would think if he gets a comparable offer he will stay in philadelphia to pitch alongside Halladay and Lee.
Wouldnt shock me if the Phils trade Hamels to a contender for a solid prospect or 2 with the idea of re-signing him this winter.
Exactly my thoughts. Most likely what the Phillies would do is try and trade him and then resign him.
That depends. The rumor mill says Greinke wants to play in Dt Louis or Atlanta. Haven’t heard him say anything positive about Texas. Also, the Brewers might want more from the Rangers than the Phillies would want if one of the key trade pieces is Olt to play 3B.
I would not be surprised one bit to see the Phillies trade Cole Hamels and sign him in the offseason.
I’d find it hilarious but also surprising. I still think if Hamels ends up getting traded that whatever team gives up the prospects will be willing to write the blank check to keep Hamels around for 5-7 more years.
If the Phils do end up trading Hamels I think the more likely scenario in the offseason would be they go after Grienke, Sanchez, or Marcum.
The more likely scenario is they go after position players because they already have two other starting pitchers making $20+m.
Grenkie scares me. As Antonio Bastardo just found out tonight, Philly isn’t a fun place to play if you don’t perform like you’re capable of.
Is Cole Hamels really worth $20 mil? I guess we should wait to see how Garcia pitches for the Yanks tonight to jump to any conclusions. If Phils trade Hamels, they won’t see him again unless it is late in his career.
As I always say as a Cub fans, watch out for the Cardinals, they always have a few tricks up their sleeve.
At this point, the close NL central could surprise everyone with some wheeling and dealing.
Can bet on one thing though, at $20 mil, you won’t see him in a Cubs uni!
The daily dose of ridiculousness. If the Phillies and Hamels were meant to be, they would’ve reached an extension long ago. Either the Phillies can’t meet his contract demands, or Hamels wants to play elsewhere. Each day that passes makes it even less likely they reach a deal. At this point, he’d be wise to let all the deep-pocketed teams out bid one another for his services.
I can’t argue with this logic!