The Philadelphia Phillies have spent the majority of the offseason at the center of trade rumors involving their star pitcher, Cole Hamels. Recently, the team has changed their tone a little bit, as they are now saying that they are going to hold on to Hamels instead of dealing him.
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The Phillies have been linked with several teams about a Hamels trade, including the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals. However, the new stance seems to be because they are not getting the kind of offer that they wanted for Hamels. The team reportedly wants multiple elite prospects for Hamels, and potential suitors have been unwilling to part with that kind of bounty.
The Phillies' struggles from last season are expected to persist, and their rebuilding plan may take more than one season. Trading Hamels would certainly help speed the process up, but the Phillies now seem to think that they will get more for him if they hold on to him until nearer to the trade deadline, when contenders may be willing to mortgage their future for a title run this season.
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According to Bleacher Report, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro has his mind made up about what he wants back, saying, "... he's one of the best pitchers in baseball. And so, if we were to move him, we're going to have to get some of the best prospects in baseball back."
Rival executives view Philadelphia's asking price as far too high for a 31-year old pitcher with over $100 million left on his contract, particularly since the list of pitchers that remained dominant into their mid-thirties is exceedingly short.
Still, the Phillies are confident that their gamble will pay off.
"It's funny. In this game, things change," Phillies President and CEO Pat Gillick said. "People are not in the mood to do something, then they go to Spring Training and all of a sudden...they realize they want to be competitive and want to do something. A lot of this maybe will shake out in Spring Training. I'd look for probably more interest in a lot of our players come Spring Training."
Of course, waiting offers plenty of risks. Hamels could get injured, wiping any potential deal off the table entirely. Other teams may also become sellers as the trade deadline nears, which could flood the market with available pitchers, making it harder for Philadelphia to get a substantial return.
And of course, there will be several quality starting pitchers available in free agency after the season, and teams may elect to sign an elite pitcher rather than trade away several good prospects for Hamels.
The Phillies are confident that their plan will work, but regardless, they are taking an awfule risk, and they had better be right.
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