The Phillies have no urgency to trade starting pitcher Cole Hamels, who can't become a free agent until after the 2018 season at the earliest (has a team and vesting option for 2019). However, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. appears willing to listen to trade offers for the ace hurler.
"I think we're right in the sweet spot with Cole," Amaro said, per the Philadelphia Daily News. "Because we can go either way. We can't close off any discussion. At the same time, he'd be the perfect guy to build around as well. He has a great contract compared to what might be going on with the elite pitchers [in free agency]. And I don't know if there was a better pitcher in baseball [in the] second half of the year."