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Phillies face stiff competition for Cole Hamels this offseason

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 13: Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies on the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 13, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 13: Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies on the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 13, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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It’s not a given the Phillies will be reunited with Cole Hamels this offseason.

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak will be on the hunt for pitching this offseason, and a name many Phillies fans are familiar with is 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels. The 36-year-old is a free agent for the first time in his career, and the interest is very high across the league.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, Hamels’ agent John Boggs says 13 teams have called about signing Hamels this offseason.

Philadelphia is likely one of those teams interested in the lefty, a move that would likely be universally supported by the fanbase.

Boggs says Hamels hopes to pitch another five years, but Hamels has said he’s willing to sign a one year deal with a playoff contender, including the Phillies.

Hamels would fit the mold of a number three pitcher for Philadelphia and finally fill in the left-handed starter the rotation has been deprived of for years. He’s also not tied to a draft pick after the Cubs opted not to tender him a qualifying offer.

After signing free agents such as Jake Arrieta and Bryce Harper the Phillies have lost several high draft picks, something team president Andy MacPhail noted in the season’s postmortem press conference when asked about the farm system.

In his first full season with the Cubs Hamels had a 3.81 ERA and pitched 27 games despite suffering an oblique injury late in the year.

Philadelphia drafted Hamels with the 17th overall pick in 2002, leading to one of the most successful pitching careers in the franchise’s history. Hamels is sixth on the Phillies all-time wins list (114), third in strikeouts (1844), and fourth in games started (294). Another healthy season in Philadelphia would likely move him up at least one spot in each of those categories.

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