Amaro: Goal is still to sign Hamels
Sources said Sunday that the Philadelphia Phillies were calling teams on left-hander Cole Hamels, informing them that he could be available at a steep price in trade.
“Our goal is the same as it has been from the beginning,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Monday, “to sign him and keep him long term in a Phillies uniform.”
Hamels, who was named to his third All-Star team Sunday, can become a free agent at the end of the season. The last substantive talks between the sides were during spring training.
Amaro mentioned the possibility that the Phillies could be a “seller” earlier in the season and first floated Hamels’ name to other clubs then.
Asked about reports of renewed trade discussions concerning Hamels, Amaro neither confirmed nor denied that they are taking place.
“I do not ever discuss the information that is out there, nor those rumors or speculations.
“This is the time of year where things will be out there. It is the nature of our sport and a product of the time of year.”
— Ken Rosenthal


