With less than 70 days remaining until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, major uncertainties linger for the Philadelphia Phillies surrounding the face of their pitching staff.
Cole Hamels, by far the most decorated pitcher currently under contract with the Phillies, could follow the former league MVP Jimmy Rollins on his way out of town. The 2015 Phillies are a far cry from the unit that won the team’s first World Series title in 28 seasons back in 2008, and find themselves in the middle of a rebuilding process. A process that may not include the player with the most potential currently on staff.
The 31-year-old hurler posted a 2.46 ERA in 30 games while earning over $20 million in 2014. Hamels was reportedly the target of a trade with the Boston Red Sox earlier this offseason, but is now the object of another contending team, this time in the National League.
The Phillies will not be a contender in 2015. So why hold on to the past when breaking away could create massive dividends in the future? Despite Hamels’ incredible individual performance in 2014, he managed just nine wins due to his team’s putrid offense. As painful as it could be for the franchise’s fans, dealing Hamels could pave the way to a winning future in Philadelphia.
Boasting a career ERA of 3.27 and a 1.142 WHIP, Hamels is the only major trading piece the Phillies have to play with right now. Veteran closer Jonathan Paplebon delivers on the field, but is a proven detriment in the locker room. Ryan Howard is a ghost of his past self and his albatross salary of over $20 million makes him relatively unmovable if the Phillies are not willing to eat some of his salary. Chase Utley, while still an All-Star caliber talent, has lost some pop in his bat and has had an annual issue with Tendonitis in his knee. If the Phillies are determined to get younger and truly commit to a rebuilding process, moving Hamels is their only option.
While the Cardinals are also targeting Detroit’s David Price and considering signing free-agent pitcher Max Scherzer, St. Louis will have a much more amiable trading partner than the contending Tigers or Red Sox. The potential deal to send Hamels to St. Louis makes sense for both sides, and its finalization could be only a matter of time.
Photo: USA Today