Phillies GM expects Cole Hamels at spring training
Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. reiterated that he wouldn't rule out trading starting pitcher Cole Hamels soon, but says he expects him "to be in spring training" with the team when pitchers and catchers report next week.
Hamels has been the subject of trade rumors for months, but Amaro has said he thinks that Hamels will be in a Phillies uniform for the foreseeable future.
"I would expect him to be in spring training with the Phillies," Amaro told ESPN.com. "And I would expect him to be our Opening Day starter. I don't know that for sure. That could change in a phone call or two, just like with anyone else. But I would expect him to be in camp."
Hamels, 31, went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA with 198 strikeouts and 59 walks last season for Philadelphia, who have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons.
He is signed through 2018 and is scheduled to be paid $22.5 million every season until the contract ends. The contract also calls for a $20 million club option or $24 million vesting option for the 2019 season.
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Amaro said there are teams interested in trading for Hamels, but it will admits he is not sure what impact it has to trade a pitcher with a significant contract.
"Cole is a unique situation," Amaro said. "(To acquire him) requires talent and money. So it's a totally different dynamic than it would be for someone to acquire one of the free agents."
Hamels has a 108-83 record with a 3.27 ERA and 1,707 strikeouts in nine MLB seasons.
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