Cole Hamels: Trade Me to Contender

Just when you thought that the Yankees would be the main focus of spring training with the return of A-Rod, here goes Cole Hamels mouthing off that he wants to be traded to a contender. As Mad Dog Russo said yesterday on High Heat, no one put a gun to Hamels' head in 2012 when he signed a 6-year, $144 million contract when the Phillies were starting to trend downward. As much as I would like to see Hamels in a Red Sox uniform, he needs to shut it. If he really needed to say something, Hamels could have worded his thoughts in a more positive way, a la Jake Peavy's exit from the Red Sox. Now Ruben Amaro Jr. has less bargaining position in potential trade deals for Hamels since suitors know that he wants to leave. You waited too long, Ruben. Now things are going to blow up in your face.