Cole Hamels: I Want To Win And It Won't Happen Here
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Phillies are bad.
Fans having been screaming about it for years now, but it carries much more weight coming out of the month of the team's star pitcher.
"I just want to win,'' Cole 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.''
Hamels, 31, a three time all-star and former World Series MVP, has been involved in trade rumors throughout the winter as general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. attempts to rebuild the club. Both Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd were traded this off-season, putting the overhaul in motion.
In July of 2012, Hamels signed a six-year, $144 million contract extension, the richest deal in franchise history. Hamels had every intention of staying in Philadelphia, but after two straight grueling 73-win seasons headed by an aging core of players, the Phillies are finally starting over.
And Hamels wants to win, now.
"The reason the Phillies committed a huge contract to me, wasn't just to pitch in the regular season, but the postseason too," Hamels said via USA Today. "That's why they paid me that kind of money. They planned on being in the playoffs every year, or at least contending.
"I want that too. I want to be in the playoffs every year. 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."