Amaro On Hamels: 'Would Have Chose My Words Differently'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Eagles won't talk and the Phillies won't shut up.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. honestly said, back in August, that the Phillies "may not contend" until 2017. However, Amaro, speaking with 94WIP's Howard Eskin in Clearwater, Florida on Thursday, says Cole Hamels shouldn't be so honest.
"Would I have chose my words a little differently if I were him?" Amaro said. "Maybe, but at the same time I think that he's gonna go out there and be a professional and pitch as well as he possibly can. He's still one of the best pitchers in the game and I'm glad we have him."
Hamels candidly admitted he wants to play for a winner, which isn't the Phillies. But, he's still on the team. Awkward?
"It's not tough at all," Amaro said. "You go out there and pitch. You pitch for the Phillies and he's gonna pitch as well as he possibly can and I know that that's the way he's gonna go about his business. Every pitcher and every player on here wants to play for a winner.
"I think what people need to understand is that if we can make our club for the short-term and long-term, mostly long-term now, then we're going to explore it," Amaro said. "I think that's the message that needs to be heard."
The trade of Jimmy Rollins sparked the rebuilding process for the Phillies, which fans were clamoring for. Amaro says it was a lose-lose situation, in terms of pleasing the fans.
"We made a decision last year that it was time for us to go in a little bit of a different direction and think more future than present and that's what we're gonna do," Amaro said. "Kind of dammed if you do, dammed if you don't."
