Cole Hamels Open to Being Traded, Would Be ‘All Ears’ in Considering Red Sox
Cole Hamels has reported to Philadelphia Phillies camp for Spring Training, but the saga of where he will actually end up pitching continues to unfold.
In an interview with USA Today Sports’ Bob Nightengale, the 2008 World Series MVP and three-time All-Star said he’s not demanding a trade, but believes that the best thing for both he and the Phillies organization may be for him to move on.
“I just want to win,’’ Hamels said in the interview. “That’s all. That’s all any competitor wants. And I know it’s not going to happen here.
“This isn’t what I expected. It’s not what the Phillies expected, either. But it’s reality.’’
The Phillies have already made a few big deals this offseason, notably trading Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Marlon Byrd to the Cincinnati Reds. Philadelphia has reportedly had several offers for Hamels during the winter, including from the Red Sox, but the team appears to be refusing to budge in demanding top talent for the southpaw.
For the Red Sox, that means guaranteeing Blake Swihart, who was recently ranked as the top catching prospect in all of baseball, will be in any deal. The Sox have refused to surrender Swihart, resulting in a stalemate between the teams.
But if the two sides could come to an agreement, Hamels said that he would definitely consider waiving his no-trade clause to pitch for the Red Sox.
“Of course, I would [consider Boston],’’ he said. “It’s a fun city. There’s no better feeling than to have a chance to win every year, and they give you that chance. I’m all ears.’’
Since winning five straight National League East titles from 2007-11 that also included two NL pennants and a World Series championship, the Phillies have lost 259 of 486 games and have never finished closer than 17 games out of first place in the division, and the team is no closer to contending now than they have been in those seasons.
“I don’t think any of us saw that coming,’’ Hamels said when asked about the team’s struggles over the past few years. “When I signed my contract, the Phillies told me they would contend. They told me they would contend every year. But things happen.’’
Hamels understands that the best outcome for both sides may be to part ways, and all he wants is the chance to add another World Series title to his resume.
“In the grand scheme of things, we have a very small window in our lives,’’ he said. “You understand this is going to end. The Phillies will go on forever, but we know our careers are going to end.
“And I want to go to a place where I can win again.’’
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