Phillies news: Club ‘longshot’ to reunite with Cole Hamels
By Matt Rappa
Just hours after Friday’s trade deadline, Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters that team officials will meet to “revisit the idea” of signing free-agent starting pitcher Cole Hamels.
Days later, it appears the Phillies have made a decision — and not one that most fans would like to hear.
Before Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said on SportsRadio 94 WIP that the Phillies bringing back Hamels is a “probably a longshot.”
Don’t count on the Phillies bringing back former ace Cole Hamels
Not only will the Phillies probably not land Hamels, but fans will likely have to see him don yet another uniform, as Dombrowski confirmed other clubs are in pursuit of the former World Series MVP:
"“He’s a guy that we have talked to. I would say that is probably a longshot at this time, from all of our conversations. I know there is another organization or two that are trying to pursue him.”"
He continued to say,
"“I’m not sure if we will be able to get that done or not. We will wait and see, but I will say that it’s more of a longshot.”"
The Phillies were among the teams that attended their former ace’s showcase in Texas last month. As the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber notes, several teams are likely still in on Hamels, given they can no longer add players to their rosters via trade.
With injured starter Zach Eflin‘s immediate future in doubt, one would have to think the Phillies would be among the finalists to sign Hamels. Yet, given there is some competition, there is a chance inking the deal could put the club over the luxury tax threshold for the first time in franchise history.
The Phillies may be reluctant to do so for a 37-year-old pitcher who has made just one start since the end of the 2019 season.