Cole Hamels shifts focus to pitching only – MLB Update
The Philadelphia Phillies are in no hurry to lock-in players already on the roster. Their relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon signed a record 50-million-dollar deal with the Boston Red Sox and now, other pitchers are weighing their options as well.
The pitcher in question is the left-handed sensation Cole Hamels, who has one more chance for arbitration before he becomes a free agent next year. It is expected that the Phillies might lure Hamels for the next few years, but there has been no indication
by either in this regard. The management expressed its desire of signing a multi-year deal with Hamels, but was quick to add that no serious negotiations have been initiated thus far.
Hamels was a core part of Philadelphia’s rotation this past season and it was generally believed that the combination was the best on the circuit. To his credit, Hamels managed to take a spot among the top five pitchers of National League this year, joining
team-mates Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.
Explaining his take on this matter, Hamels said, "It's not really on my mind because I'm still locked in with the team, which I'm happy about. It'll work its way out. I'm just going to go out there and focus on pitching. I feel like I have a really good
agent, [John Boggs]. I hope he has a good relationship with [general manager] Ruben [Amaro Jr.] and they'll be able to work well together."
The left-handed starter asserted that the only thing that he cares for is his pitching. He was loud enough to state that the team does not matter and that he has the ability to overcome all obstacles, be it physical or mental. Winning 14 starts this past
season at a 2.79 ERA was a performance appreciated by many on the circuit. He was able to earn recognition in a star-studded rotation and thus has become a top-priority for many teams.
Another opinion is that the Phillies might wait till January before extending a contract to Hamels, a practice which they have adopted in the past as well. It will be interesting to see how this case materialises.
Nevertheless, Hamels has stressed that this is a franchise he has grown with and that there is no point of leaving a team that has made winning a habit. He continued that crashing out of the postseason was not on the cards, but overall, the team is capable
enough of bouncing back in the next season and winning the Fall Classic, after having done so in 2008. If Hamels stays on, the bull-pen will surely perform beyond all expectations.
The Phillies are yet to comment on this situation and it will be interesting to see how they respond to this critical matter.
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