With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the biggest name on the market is Philadelphia Phillies ace left-hander Cole Hamels. His name has been connected to several teams around the league, but he admits that he would be “open minded” to pitch anywhere, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com .
Hamels, 31, is a constant subject of discussion with every passing day. His contract, performance, and history warrant celebration, but his future yields nothing but speculation. Hamels admits that this makes him laugh because he ultimately isn’t the one deciding where he will end up, as he tells Salisbury.
“I haven’t been approached. People are looking at it like I’m holding the dice, but I’m not. Ruben and Pat are.”
Currently, Hamels owns a 5-6 record with a 3.26 ERA in 99 1/3 innings in 2015. There are four years and $96 million left on his contract, which could jump to $110 million over five years if his option is picked up. Being a former NLCS MVP and World Series winner, it makes Hamels an interesting option to several teams.
Recent rumors have named the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros as a possible destination for Hamels. But despite what may be said or written , Hamels has not used the clause in his contract to negate any possible trade.
In the event of a trade, Hamels has a nine-team list which includes teams that he would accept a trade to. Conversely, the San Diego native can veto a trade to 20 other teams. The teams he would accept a trade to are the Yankees, Rangers, Nationals, Mets, Cardinals, Braves, Dodgers, Cubs, and his hometown Padres.
Yet Hamels says that nine-team “trade-to” list would not preclude him for accepting a trade to a team not mentioned on that list.
“I have not been approached. When I’m approached, then I can make a decision and provide an answer about a team. But I’m open-minded on everybody and everything.”
The surprising Astros are one of the teams that Hamels would be allowed to veto a trade to. However, the reason he did not put them on his list does not revolve around any personal animosity or ill feelings toward the first place Astros, who sit four games up on the second-place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
“I had to make a list back in October. I came up with a criteria based on a lot of things — winning and losing, family. It was only nine teams. Those teams were in the middle of the pack. They just didn’t make the nine-team list. When I made the list in October — who knew?”
At this stage, it almost makes no sense to believe with conviction as to where Hamels may be traded. For the longest time, many believed he would eventually end up with the Boston Red Sox, as they have both the prospects and a need for an ace pitcher. Yet they sit in last place in the AL East, falling down further.
The Yankees, who are always connected to big name players that become available, have been connected to Hamels . With questions surrounding their own rotation, an addition of Hamels’ caliber may put them over the top. But they have made it clear they don’t want to part with their top prospects, which may prevent a deal from happening.
Whatever the case may turn out to be, Hamels, who has spent his entire career in Philadelphia, is unsure of where he’ll end up but is sure of the legacy he would leave behind in Philadelphia.
“There’s good and bad in everything. I do call Philadelphia home. It’s a special place to me.”
[Image by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images]