Despite being mentioned in trade talks since last season's trade deadline, Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels does not believe that it has taken a toll on him at all, reports philly.com.
"Me personally, no," Hamels said. "I think to be a starter you have to be selfish to be able to get this far. As much as it looks like it can have a negative impact, we're the ones out on the mound having to make a pitch and having to decide what we're going to do."
Hamels finished last season with a 9-9 record. But his record was not indicative of his performance in 2014. He had an ERA of 2.46 with 198 strikeouts in 204 2/3 innings pitched last season.
Manager Ryne Sandberg has been pleased with how Hamels has handled the fact that he has come up in trade talks.
"He is one of the players who was talked about a lot not only in the off season but part way through camp," Sandberg said, alluding to all the trade rumors. "All the veteran guys that have been in that boat have been very good as far as sticking to business and focusing on being a Philadelphia Phillie right now and helping the team."
"It's just going out there and fulfilling your obligation and that is kind of what I've been trying to do no matter what the circumstance," Hamels said.