Photo: Philliedelphia/Kevin Durso
It's not uncommon that you hear of other players speaking about their teammates after being traded. What is uncommon is hearing other players speaking about their teammates before being traded.
According to Todd Zolecki, a few players who spoke to reporters yesterday mentioned the recent rumors of their teammate Cole Hamels being potentially traded.
“I don’t necessarily know if our clubhouse would take that too well." said Phils closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Papelbon, who is coming from a clubhouse full of bad chemistry, fried chicken, beer and video games certainly wouldn't want to see one of the longest tenured Phillies to leave and ruin the chemistry of the clubhouse.
Papelbon's comments reflected those of Jimmy Rollins, who was interviewed via telephone on Sunday.
“If guys are going to get traded, it has nothing to do with contracts,” Rollins said. “That means that was their plan from the beginning. You just don’t trade a guy right now, especially a guy like Cole Hamels, for example, just because the team is losing. You don’t do that. If you’re going to let them go to free agency and hope to sign them after the season, then that’s what you’re going to do. You’re not going to all of a sudden start jumping to trade guys. That doesn’t make any sense.", Rollins said.
“I know that’s what a lot of times people want to see happen: ‘Well, we need to start rebuilding the team.’ No, you don’t. You don’t hit the panic button. You let it play out. And with some guys, you have to take a chance.”
Jimmy's right and I'm sure the rest of the guys in the clubhouse feel the same way about this whole situation.
DO NOT TRADE COLE HAMELS!
It's all up to the front office now.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
We see how well it's worked for teams in the past who didn't trade their "soon to be free agent"...Mets got nothing in return for Jose Reyes, and just let him walk. Cleveland got nothing in return when Thome left almost 10 years ago. It makes zero sense to hang onto a player who himself said he's going to test free agency if you're out of the playoff hunt. If you think you can sign him right now at the end of the season, trade him and try to do that. Cole is smart enough to understand the business side of it, and has already said he wouldn't take a trade personal.
Posted by: Talbot's Fucking Penis | July 10, 2012 at 12:09 PM
If JRoll is so concerned about winning, why doesnt he do things winners do? Like stop popping up , stop swinging for the fences. Short swing up with 2 strikes! Run balls out! Hit for avg. Take a walk, the list goes on and on! Step up your game JROLL. PLAY SMARTER. that goes for Victorino too. Team needs a smarter approach. Oh and it needs a bullpen. Team is top heavy. Balance is key. When you are top heavy and more than one of those big contract guys gets hurt, it is over. Lets build a team for the future.
Posted by: G MO PRO | July 10, 2012 at 01:29 PM