Cole Hamels Would Love A Trade From Philadelphia Phillies

By Ed Carroll | Nov 13, 2014

Jul 19, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Phillies‘ ace left-hander Cole Hamels would reportedly welcome a trade away from the rebuilding MLB franchise this winter.

Cole Hamels, the Philadelphia Philies’ ace, apparently he would have laughed at the idea of the Phillies rebuilding before the end of his contract extension when he signed it four years ago. Now, with two years left on the deal and the Phillies an absolute mess in need of a restart, Hamels would apparently welcome a trade out of Philadelphia, but he won’t request one.

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The word “apparently” is necessary here because Hamels has said little publicly (and is not quoted at all in that USA Today story), but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. appears to be the catalyst for these sentiments.

“[Hamels] was neutral when I talked to him,” Amaro said, via USA Today Sports. “Happy to go. I think he wants to win, but he signed his contract, and he plans on honoring the contract, obviously.”

That’s not exactly the same as “I would love to be traded,” but these are the type of leaps we make in analysis, I guess. For what it’s worth, Hamels is an excellent pitcher, but a Hamels trade would likely require Amaro to back down from his reported (and ridiculous) asking price of three top prospects, with two of them Major-League ready and the third not far off.

That’s in addition to the $96 million Hamels is owed through 2018 and a team or vesting option for the 2019 season, and Hamels’s no-trade clause, of which the full list is unknown but we’re aware it allows trades to only two American League teams: the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.

So, good luck finding a deal on those terms, Ruben. Unless Amaro budges, expect Hamels back in Philly come Opening Day.

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