The Phillies concluded the first half of the season by dropping an afternoon game against the Braves by the score of 4-3. The setback marked Philadelphia's 50th loss of the season as the team currently sits in last place in the National League East with a record of 37-50. The 2011 Phillies did not lose their 50th game until September 12 as the squad went on to win 102 games in route to the division title. Let's check in on the latest news and headlines from Citizens Bank Park with the All-Star break nearly upon us…
- Cole Hamels spoke with CSNPhilly.com's Leslie Gudel about his current status with the Phillies and his future beyond this season as the trade deadline quickly approaches. Hamels said while he would be happy to sign a long-term deal with the Phillies, he's curious to explore free agency and potentially end up with a team on the West Coast like the Dodgers.
- Look for Hamels to land with the Rangers if the Phillies end up dealing the left-hander, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Olney spoke with baseball officials on Sunday who deemed Texas as the prohibitive favorites in the Hamels arms race.
- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel isn't concerned about his job security given his self-proclaimed belief that he is a winner, writes Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. "How concerned am I? I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself," said Manuel. "And I am a fighter. And not only that, I think I’m a winner."
HaHa. Olney tried to connect the Rangers to every big free agent in the off season only to be wrong everytime.
He also said that he would still sign with the Phillies after he got traded. My question is, does that lower his trade value knowing that he could potentially just end up back in Philly.
Doubt it, if the Phils trade him, there’s no way he comes back in the winter, regardless of what he says. If the Phillies trade him, its because they can’t sign him.
Or because they have a stripped farm system and need to fill 3B, CF, or the back end of the rotation with guys making $500,000.
It lowers his trade value knowing he’s unlikely to sign an extension and wants to test free agency. I doubt it matters to teams whether or not there’s a possibility he ends up back where he started.
yes
notice..Martin Perez has been up for a few starts…simply to showcase his goods. – i could see the Phillies asking for Perez/Olt/Neil Ramirez/Roughned Odor…2 of the 4 would be in the conversation.
not for 2 month rental.
I think they would settle for just Olt. In the end, I think that is what may happen…
Perez was up because of all of the injuries the Rangers have had.
you dont get him for the hand full of starts in the regular season you get him for what he has done in the playoffs
There is NO way Texas is going to give up any top picks for hamels when they will receive zero picks when he walks. They did not build up the depth of the team by being stupid.
I wonder if they just go ahead and trade him if he said he’s giving them first chance at signing him in the off season (meaning they’re his first choice). He’s probably looking at it as if he can get a legit 3B, CF, or Starter prospect back as return, it’s only going to solidify the team for the long haul.
In the mean time, he takes a shot at World Series ring #2 with whomever acquires him.
I personally would prefer they just sign him at the deadline though and not have to worry about whether he’s coming back or not. The above scenario was just me wondering aloud. IMO, he’s just as important going forward as any prospect they could acquire. Ace 28 year old left handers don’t grow on trees.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. RAJ had a closed door meeting with Cole last week and I guarantee that they discussed him coming back here as a possibility even if they trade him
Are we laying bets on how much Hamels’ agent paid the interviewer to specifically mention the Dodgers?
Hamels has mentioned he’d like to pitch near home “Dodgers”.
The Phillies have been successful IN SPITE of Manuel, not because of him. Hopefully, this season will be enough to get Charlie canned and Sandberg brought up as the replacement.
Charlie hasn’t really done himself any favors. Not having his star players has really exposed his lack of strategic planning as a manager… some of the things he does makes absolutely no sense.
Given recent events, it looks like the current pitching will stand, but the Rangers need more pop in the lineup. A powerful bat–even a rental one wouldn’t be amiss. There’s a vacancy at first base. Tonight, the lineup is struggling to defeat the Twins, who’ve only scored 3 runs.
I would really like Hunter Pence. I don’t care much for Cole Hamels: Edit: to add him to our rotation, over a position player and great bat like Pence.
I guess world series/NLCS MVP and top 5 lefties in the game you dont like huh???? funny if you ask me
its funnier that he prefers pences circus in the outfield
I meant I don’t care much for adding him to our rotation. If I had to take one of them in a trade right now, it’d be Pence because our bats are struggling.
Watch him play for a year. He’s a good complementary piece who we paid a star/difference maker price.
I’ve been watching him since he came up with the Astros. If I were the GM I would intend on him replacing Cruz coming up.
Honestly, speaking as a baseball fan rather than a Mets fan, Charlie is only a winner because of the boatload of talent the GM provided him. Look at his past– he’s had stars like Manny, Thome, Howard, Rollins, Utley, Burrell, Victorino and even Thome again. In all honesty, last years Phillies UNDERPERFORMED despite winning 102 games. I honestly believed they could’ve won many more ballgames under the watch of other managers and could’ve easily made it back into the NLCS.
Again, talking as a baseball fan; not a Mets fan.
I agree.
controlling superstars with massive egos is not as easy as you make it out to be
Manuel concluded his remarks by saying, “I’m a driver. I’m a winner. Things are gonna change. I can feel it.”
Great interview by Leslie Gudel. Enjoy your last few weeks in Philadelphia Cole. And good luck with the Dodgers over the next 7 or so years.