2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Phillies Not Shopping Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels only has one year left on his current contract, and the rumors have taken off.  Because of his pending free agency, speculators are wondering if Hamels will become a trade target this winter for teams in need of a rotation upgrade.  While Phillies general manager Reuben Amaro Jr. wouldn’t use the word never, he did say Philadelphia isn’t shopping their young starter.

Known as a GM that can make a significant roster adjustment in the blink of an eye, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer said the question had to be asked, are the Phillies looking to trade Cole Hamels?

Amaro’s response fit his personality well.

“I can’t say we’d never, ever trade anybody,” Amaro said with a smirk.

According to Gelb, Amaro doesn’t have the word untouchable in his vocabulary when it comes to his players.  Since taking over in Philadelphia, Amaro has traded for, traded and signed ace lefty Cliff Lee.  He has sent out some of his franchise’s top prospects to plug the few holes his club has had.

Now, with one of his star pitcher’s future with the club unknown beyond next season, many wonder if Amaro will again make an unexpected offseason splash.  At this point, Amaro says fans shouldn’t read the lack of Hamels’ contract extension as a sign that Philly is considering moving the lefty.  Instead, Amaro says that the team has “some other fish to fry right now”.

Having filled their closer’s role with Jonathan Papelbon, the Phillies are still in the market for a shortstop and corner outfielder.  Gelb notes that the longer Hamels remains unsigned, the more time there is for rumors to spread.  Amaro’s response to that is that the media is “only writing it, because it happened before”, referring to the previous moves he’s made as GM of the Phillies.

The remaining holes the Phillies have and the amount of money it will take to fill them also has onlookers wondering if the club can afford to extend Hamels.  Amaro didn’t indicate that this would be an issue.

According to Amaro, he has spoken with Hamels’ agent to let him know that he will first take care of some free agent decisions before he targets Cole.  Both sides have indicated that they want to get a deal done.  Amaro continued exhibiting this sentiment during his interview with Gelb, saying that “Cole is homegrown” and “a guy we would like to keep”.  While Hamels is a “priority”, Amaro says the Phillies “have time to deal” with the negotiations.

And as that time keeps on passing, we will continue to hear rumors of different trade scenarios involving Hamels.  Gotta love the hot stove.

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out That Balls Outta Here.