Cole Hamels Wants To Play For A Contender
(CBS) In something short of demanding a trade but nonetheless expressing true honesty, Phillies ace left-hander Cole Hamels has admitted he'd like to be moved to a contender.
"I just want to win,'' Hamels told USA Today Sports. "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.''
After going 73-89 in 2014, Philadelphia is in the middle of a rebuild. The Phillies traded shortstop Jimmy Rollins and outfielder Marlon Byrd in the offseason, and first baseman Ryan Howard, closer Jonathan Papelbon, left-hander Cliff Lee and Hamels are all on the trading block.
The Dodgers, Padres and Red Sox have expressed interest in Hamels, USA Today reported. The Cubs have also been floated as a possibility previously by 670 The Score's Bruce Levine.
The aggressive style of Cubs executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer point out two obvious traits going forward. The Cubs will continue to go after the best pitching talent in baseball. More importantly, to support that idea, money from ownership won't be an issue when quality players are made available.
The question now becomes, will the Cubs continue their pursuit of great pitchers?
Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels remains on the trading block. The Cubs would be one of the teams that could absorb the $98 million left on his contract. With a deep farm system in place, Chicago could supply the younger talent that Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is seeking in return for his ace.
Hamels, 31, has four years and and not quite $100 million left on his contract, plus a fifth-year option that would bring the monetary total to $110 million.
Hamels has a career 108-83 record with a lifetime 3.27 ERA.
"I want to be in the playoffs every year," Hamels told USA Today. "That's where you make a name for yourself. It's not about the Cy Young awards and MVP awards. It's about winning championships. You want to be in a place where you have a chance to win."