Cole Hamels spoke to USA Today's Bob Nightengale about his future and what it holds for him. Apparently, he was not hesitant or remorseful about the words he spoke.
"I just want to win,'' Hamels said to Nightengale. "That's all. That's all any competitor wants. And I know it is not going to happen here. It is reality."
Hamels kept it plain and simple. Honestly, it only makes sense. The Phillies are rebuilding and they will not have a playoff ready team for a few years. This offseason, they have traded away Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Marlon Byrd to the Cincinnati Reds.
Starting pitcher Cliff Lee, who is not 100 percent, and closer Jonathan Papelbon are both up for trade. It seems like both are eager to move on as well.
When it comes to Hamels, the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Dodgers are all highly interested. The Phillies have continued to ask for a ton in exchange for their ace.
Hamels is owed $96 million over the next four years, which is about $24 million per season.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports about a week ago, the talks between Papelbon and the Milwaukee Brewers are "dominant," but there are still issues between the two parties. It is known that the Phillies will pay a portion of his salary only if they get a top prospect in return.
Papelbon will earn $13 million this season and will get $13 million for his option next season if he finishes 48 games.
Going back to Hamels, if the Phillies do not get prospect catcher Blake Swihart in return, the trade will not be accepted. The Padres have offered prospects Hunter Renfore and Austin Hedges, but that will not be enough for the Phillies. The Cardinals will not get their trade accepted unless they involve Carlos Martinez. As for the Dodgers, they have not yet included any of their top four prospects in their proposal. Until one team bites, a trade will not be accepted.
"There's no better feeling than winning, and we enjoyed that for a long time in Philadelphia,'' Hamels said to Nightengale. "I just want to win again. I'm no different than other guys. You just want to be in a position to win.
"So you make sure you're professional about it. You don't do anything stupid. You don't say anything stupid. You just prepare yourself for the season. Whether I'm here or not for opening day, it doesn't change anything, or the way I feel toward the Phillies.
"I'll always be the same guy.''
Yes, he will be the same guy, but Hamels hopes he will be in a different jersey.