Yesterday, Ruben Amaro elaborated on the rebuilding efforts of the Phillies moving forward, stating that no one is untouchable and that the team is not leaving anything off the table. The rumors have already begun swirling regarding some big names on the Phils, most recently Cole Hamels.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Cubs have plenty of interest in the Phillies left-hander, among others, and plan to reach out to them about his availability. That being said, it remains to be seen if the Cubs are a team on Cole's no-trade list.
The Cubs, already connected heavily in speculative reports about top free-agent pitchers Jon Lester and Max Scherzer, are also interested in Cole Hamels, according to sources, and are expecting to talk to the Phillies about him.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Cubs will look into Hamels, who's comparable to the top two free-agent pitchers, and also available.
The Cubs claimed Hamels on revocable waivers in early August before the Phillies pulled him back following brief trade talks between the teams. While the Cubs and Phillies unsurprisingly couldn't come to agreement within the allotted three-day window, perhaps the extra time of the offseason could allow the sides to work out a trade.
Hamels' nine-team list he'd accept a trade to did not include the Cubs last year when the sides were talking, but he was due to update his list Nov. 1, and it isn't known whether he changed the list. Last year's list allowed trades to the Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Cardinals, Nationals, Braves, Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers, as reported first by FOXSports.com. [CBSSports.com]
Hamels current contract could keep him in Phillies red if they decide to hang on to him. He is owed a minimum of $96 million over the next four years. Ruben Amaro admitted while talking to The Inquirer's Matt Gelb that the Phillies are in somewhat of a "sweet spot" with Cole.
"I think we're right in the sweet spot with Cole," Amaro said. "Because we can go either way. We can't close off any discussion. At the same time, he'd be the perfect guy to build around as well. He has a great contract compared to what might be going on with the elite pitchers [in free agency]. And I don't know if there was a better pitcher in baseball [in the] second half of the year."
Hamels, 30, had his best year as a Phillie this season, posting a 2.49 ERA over 30 starts. In his career, Cole is 108-83 with a 3.27 ERA to go along with a 1.14 WHIP. In 14 starts following the All-Star Break, Hamels posted a 1.94 ERA over 97.1 innings.
The Cubs have plenty of prospects that the Phillies would like to get their hands on including Jorge Soler, whom the Phillies had interest in before he signed with the Cubs, Kris Bryant, and Addison Russell.
By far the best trade chip they have this offseason, Hamels was selected by the Phillies in the first round of the 2002 draft. He made his MLB debut against the Reds on May 12th, 2006.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
