Phillies news: Club ‘longshot’ to reunite with Cole Hamels

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.

Phillies executive Dave Dombrowski is bullish on starter Kyle Gibson.

The most notable trade the Philadelphia Phillies made ahead of the July 30 deadline was when they acquired starting pitcher Kyle Gibson, closer Ian Kennedy, and minor-league pitcher Hans Crouse from the Texas Rangers in exchange for former top prospect Spencer Howard and two other minor-leaguers.

Right away, the 33-year-old and nine-year veteran shined in his Phillies debut. Pitching 6 2/3 innings in Sunday’s eventual; 15-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, the right-hander allowed just five hits, two runs, and two walks, while striking out five of his 27 batters faced. In earning a winning decision, Gibson earned his first victory since June 26 — when he improved his season win-loss record to an impressive 6-0 with a 2.00 ERA.

Before Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski called Gibson an “established major league veteran pitcher” on SportsRadio 94 WIP:

“He has been doing this for a long time. Of course, he made the All-Star team this year. He’s been a good, solid pitcher for a lot of years.”

While Gibson will not overpower opposing batters, Dombrowski noted he can still mix his pitches and throw strikes — all the while fielding his position well. Another thing Gibson brings to the Joe GIrardi-led club is the ability to throw deep into games. Excluding his first start of the season on April 1, Gibson has pitched at least five innings in every one of his 19 starts, a feat even his new rotation-mate and Phillies ace, Zack Wheeler, has not achieved this year.

“For us, the one thing — not only [can he] win [you] games — he can give you length out there, as far as innings are concerned.”

Dombrowski went on to say that Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler were really the only two guys who could provide length with Zach Eflin currently sidelined:

“Having a person like him that can give you a chance to win the ballgame on an every-start basis — but also give you that length — is extremely important for us as we move forward.”

So far, so good in the Gibson-Phillies era.