The MLB winter meetings have ended, and there are only a few more big names that should end up with new teams before next season. James Shields and Max Scherzer are the two premier free agent starters that people are waiting on, but the Philadelphia Phillies are still fielding offers for left handed ace Cole Hamels.
Giants 'Going Hard' After James Shields
The Phillies are not expected to contend this year as they continue with their rebuilding process, and dealing Hamels to a team with higher aspirations would make sense if they could get some prospects back in return. The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have both been linked to moves for Hamels, as have a few other teams.
Hamels may not have much influence over his situation, but he still made his opinion known. According to media reports, Hamels is hoping for a move to a contender. "As close [to perfect] as I would like would be to go to a team that wants to win," said Hamels. "... Whenever you're in the postseason, that's what you play the game for."
Stage Set For Boston-Philadelphia Blockbuster?
Hamels sounds like he thinks he will definitely be playing for a new team next season. Hamels does have a no-trade clause, but it only allows him to blocka move to 21 of the league's 29 other teams. Although teams are already pursuing a trade, Philadelphia is not believed to be in a hurry to move Hamels. They may elect to wait until next summer's trade deadline in an attempt to get a sweeter deal from a suitor in the midst of a playoff race.
Hamels indicated that moving to a familiar area might be nice, although returning home to California is not necessarily his priority. "But whatever city is going after winning," he said, "that could definitely change every sort of perspective and every desire because that trumps almost everything. Winning."
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