MLB News: Cole Hamels On Possible Trade, ‘I Just Want To Win’

Pitchers and catchers report this week, and there’s at least one pitcher that wishes he was reporting with a different team.

Left-hander Cole Hamels has been the subject of trade rumors since the trade deadline this past season, yet remains on the Philadelphia Phillies’ roster. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been one of the teams linked to the former All-Star, but have not been able to find a deal that suits them. Hamels is now in camp and has finally spoken on the rumors and speculation.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, the 31-year-old is ready to move on from the only team he’s ever pitched for:

I just want to win,” Hamels told USA TODAY Sports in his first interview since the end of the 2014 season. “That’s all. That’s all any competitor wants.

“And I know it’s not going to happen here.

“This isn’t what I expected. It’s not what the Phillies expected, either.

“But it’s reality.”

Since signing his contract extension during the 2012 season, the Phillies have failed to win more than 81 games in any season and failed to make the postseason. Hamels won a World Series with the team in 2008.

Hamels expanded on his comments and why he’d rather be traded:

The reason the Phillies committed a huge contract to me,” says Hamels, “wasn’t just to pitch in the regular season, but the postseason too. That’s why they paid me that kind of money. They planned on being in the playoffs every year, or at least contending.

“I want that too. I want to be in the playoffs every year. That’s where you make a name for yourself. It’s not about the Cy Young awards and MVP awards. It’s about winning championships. You want to be in a place where you have a chance to win.

With the Dodgers, Hamels would be in a much better position to win and pitch into October. While the rumors have cooled down, they may ramp up in the coming weeks with these new comments. Until now the Dodgers have been reluctant to include any top prospects in a deal, which is why they have not been able to strike a deal.

It will be an interesting spring for the Phillies if they do indeed grant Hamels his wish.

Dodgers FanFest – Brandon McCarthy