Photo: Philliedelphia/Kevin Durso
It's not uncommon that you hear of other players speaking about their teammates after being traded. What is uncommon is hearing other players speaking about their teammates before being traded.
According to Todd Zolecki, a few players who spoke to reporters yesterday mentioned the recent rumors of their teammate Cole Hamels being potentially traded.
“I don’t necessarily know if our clubhouse would take that too well." said Phils closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Papelbon, who is coming from a clubhouse full of bad chemistry, fried chicken, beer and video games certainly wouldn't want to see one of the longest tenured Phillies to leave and ruin the chemistry of the clubhouse.
Papelbon's comments reflected those of Jimmy Rollins, who was interviewed via telephone on Sunday.
“If guys are going to get traded, it has nothing to do with contracts,” Rollins said. “That means that was their plan from the beginning. You just don’t trade a guy right now, especially a guy like Cole Hamels, for example, just because the team is losing. You don’t do that. If you’re going to let them go to free agency and hope to sign them after the season, then that’s what you’re going to do. You’re not going to all of a sudden start jumping to trade guys. That doesn’t make any sense.", Rollins said.
“I know that’s what a lot of times people want to see happen: ‘Well, we need to start rebuilding the team.’ No, you don’t. You don’t hit the panic button. You let it play out. And with some guys, you have to take a chance.”
Jimmy's right and I'm sure the rest of the guys in the clubhouse feel the same way about this whole situation.
DO NOT TRADE COLE HAMELS!
It's all up to the front office now.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
