MLB Rumors: Rival GM says Philadelphia Phillies want ‘world’ for Cole Hamels
By Phil Watson
According to a report, the Philadelphia Phillies still have left-hander Cole Hamels on the trading block, but one rival general manager says their asking price is “the world.”
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Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that Hamels is available, but only for a king’s ransom.
"“They want the world,” a rival GM told Heyman."
Hamels is 5-5 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.153 WHIP in 18 starts and 122.1 innings this season, posting 125 strikeouts.
The former World Series MVP won 17 games two years ago, but as the Phillies have faded from contention, Hamels’ numbers have retreated. He was 8-14 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.159 WHIP in 33 starts and 220 innings in 2013, striking out 202 hitters.
He also has four more years and $105 million remaining on his contract after this season and has a partial no-trade clause that includes 20 teams he cannot be dealt to.
However, according to Heyman, Hamels has been frustrated with the team’s poor play (the Phillies are last in the National League East at 46-59, 12½ games behind the Washington Nationals, and trail by 11 games in the NL wild card race) and might be open to approving a deal to a team on the no-trade list.
Hamels’ deal also includes a $20 million club option for 2019 with a $6 million buyout.
The Phillies have also been shopping former MVP Ryan Howard and former Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, with no takers so far. There has reportedly been only mild interest in closer Jonathan Papelbon and right-hander A.J. Burnett.
All four players, however, could be available past Thursday’s non-waiver trade deadline, as it is unlikely any team would claim them off waivers in August because of their prohibitively large salaries.