Cole Hamels dreaming of Fenway Park?
"I just want to win,'' Hamels told USA Today back in February. "That's all. That's all any competitor wants. And I know it's not going to happen here.”
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"I just want to win,'' Hamels told USA Today back in February. "That's all. That's all any competitor wants. And I know it's not going to happen here."
It's not surprising that Cole wants to be dealt. Last year, the Phillies ace paired an impressive 2.46 ERA with 198 strikeouts, yet ended the season with an average 9-9 record. And the season is off to a rough start for Hamels, who was pulled after giving up 4 solo home runs in just 5 innings in his season debut (he gave up just 14 home runs all last season).
It's not as if the Phillies aren't willing to deal Hamels. As Ryan Lawrence notes, the team will move Hamels within the next 4 months as long as they're offered a package of prospects with enough value to build around. Since no deal materialized during the offseason, the odds of leveraging Hamels' value properly gets better as the season moves forward and the trade deadline nears.
Boston seems to be the most likely destination for Hamels, considering he would be an ideal choice to fill the hole left by Jon Lester, who bolted Beantown in favor of Chicago. The two teams have reportedly spoken, but so far the Phillies have refused any deal that doesn't include either highly sought after catching prospect Blake Swihart (who seems untouchable considering the injury to starting catcher Christian Vazquez) or outfielder Mookie Betts (who looked good on Opening Day starting leadoff for the Red Sox).
So until a deal happens, we wait and watch Hamels, who doesn't want to be here, pitch for a team that would rather see him go and replenish their famished farm system.
Such is life for the 2015 Phillies.