While the Philadelphia Phillies rebuild efforts are real, they aren't likely to include Cole Hamels going anywhere. According to reports Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro expects the ace left-hander to remain in the City of Brotherly Love in 2015.
"I think Cole Hamels is going to be in our uniform, frankly," Amaro said. "I don't really foresee him being moved. It is possible because we're literally keeping our minds and eyes and ears open on every player that we have on our roster."
Several teams have reportedly shown interest in Hamels, but Philadelphia's asking price has been high. One of the hottest rumors was Hamels to the San Diego Padres, but the Padres balked at trading away catching prospect Austin Hedges, the top farmhand in the organization.
Amaro has made no apologies about his asking price for the 31-year-old ace. "That said, 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."
Amaro also said there's no pressure to trade him despite the franchise limping to a last-place finish in 2014 with little hope of improvement on this year's horizon.
"In fact, the ownership group I think would rather keep him than not. But we have to be good listeners and I think we owe it to the franchise and the organization to listen on possible opportunities, and there have been some clubs that have been aggressive. Not aggressive enough, obviously, because we haven't done anything," Amaro said.
Other Phillies who are prime candidates to be shopped are fellow left-hander Cliff Lee, first baseman Ryan Howard, and closer Jonathan Papelbon.
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