Cole Hamels has been the subject of trade rumors for much of this offseason, but Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. expects the southpaw to be with the team in camp and to start on Opening Day.
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Amaro has been open to listening to teams on potential deals for Hamels, but he has been adamant about a large return in a group of MLB-ready or close to MLB-ready prospects in order to pull the trigger.
Amaro told ESPN that despite his willingness to move Hamels if he can "win the deal," he fully expects him to be in Florida in a couple of weeks for the start of camp.
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"I don't know that for sure," Amaro told the publication. "That could change in a phone call or two, just like with anyone else. But I would expect him to be in camp."
Amaro has parted with a lot of franchise piece this offseason, but trading Hamels would be the truest sign that he is going through with a full-scale rebuild.
The general manager has been reluctant to rebuild the team in the past, but now that it endured its second straight 73-89, last place finish and missed the playoffs for a third straight campaign in 2014, anything can happen.
Amaro said that despite the fact that a deal can be made down the line, he expects Hamels to take the mound when the team hosts the Boston Red Sox on April 6, which is Opening Day.
Amaro has had talks with other clubs about a potential Hamels trade, but told ESPN they "haven't gotten to the finish line with these teams."
The reason for the stall in talks likely stems not only from the Phillies' asking price for a return, but also because Amaro is adamant that the team will not pay much, if any, of the $96 million owed to Hamels.
Teams that have been linked to Hamels include the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers.
The Padres appear out now that they signed James Shields while the Dodgers and Cardinals are all said to be happy with their rotations, according to MLB.com, and the Rangers recently added Yovani Gallardo.
Hamels, 31, was drafted by the Phillies in the first round (17th overall) in the 2002 MLB Draft. The left-hander went 9-9 in 2014 through 30 starts with a 2.46 ERA, 1.148 WHIP and 198 strikeouts.
Hamels is 108-83 in his career through 275 games (274 starts) with a 3.27 ERA, 1.142 WHIP and 1,707 strikeouts.
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