Phillies GM doesn't foresee trading Cole Hamels

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., said on Tuesday he does not foresee pitcher Cole Hamels being traded before the season starts.

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., said on Tuesday he does not foresee pitcher Cole Hamels being traded before the season starts.

According to Philly.com:

“I think

Cole Hamels

is going to be in our uniform, frankly," Amaro said before the annual winter banquet hosted by the Phillies’ Double A affiliate in Reading. "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.

"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 added that he has not faced any pressure to move Hamels.

The left-hander, who turned 31 last month, is coming off a season in which he went 9-9 over 30 starts, posting a career-best 2.46 ERA with 198 strikeouts and 59 walks.

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Hamels is signed through 2018 and due $22.5 million every season until then. He also has a $20 million club option or $24 million vesting option for 2019.

Hamels signed a six-year, $144 million extension in July 2012 that was the richest in Phillies history and the second-highest ever given to a pitcher at the time.

Over his nine seasons with the Phillies, Hamels has posted a 108-83 record with a 3.27 ERA, 1,707 strikeouts and 453 walks.

The Phillies open the 2015 season at home vs. the Boston Red Sox on April 6.

- Mike Fiammetta