Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke to Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette on "Power Alley" on MLB Network Radio today and he shared some thoughts on the Phillies' offseason. The big question on the minds of Ferrin and Duquette revolved around the Phillies' ace: would they move Cole Hamels?
Amaro seem to say that Hamels could be a building block for the future, but could also suggested he could be moved for some other building blocks for the future:
"Cole is one of those guys in particular who can be a bridge to the future as well due to the length of his contract… there's no need to go out and move him, no rush to go out and move him….He could do damage long -term for us whether he's part of the club or not part of the club."
Would the Phillies eat money? Amaro said that the Phillies were focused on making "baseball moves" rather than focusing on finances.
As for A.J. Burnett, Amaro said that he was "a little surprised" that Burnett opted out, but understood that Burnett typically does not think in terms of money. Amaro admitted that the Phillies current direction could have something to do with him deciding to keep his options open this offseason.
Listen to the interview below from SiriusXM.com/mlbnetworkradio:
Also worth a listen on MLB Network Radio today: Former Nationals and Reds GM Jim Bowden suggests that the Phillies' rebuilding plan must begin with a Cole Hamels trade, and he sees the Cubs to be a good fit:
