Hamels ‘open-minded’ on potential trade to Jays

Cole Hamels. (Kathy Willens/AP)

Coveted Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels is keeping an open mind about potential trade destinations, including the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hamels told CSN’s Jim Salisbury on Saturday that he hasn’t been approached by the Phillies about a potential trade but that he wouldn’t rule anybody out.

“I have not been approached,” Hamels told Salisbury. “When I’m approached, then I can make a decision and provide an answer about a team.

“But I’m open-minded on everybody and everything.”

In May, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported the Blue Jays hadn’t asked about Hamels “in months” after getting the sense during the winter that the left-hander wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause to come to Toronto. But a lot has changed since then, with the Blue Jays sitting one game back in the AL East entering Saturday’s play.

“I had to make a list back in October,” he said. “I came up with a criteria based on a lot of things — winning and losing, family. It was only nine teams. Those teams were in the middle of the pack.”

“I haven’t said anything to anybody about Toronto,” Hamels said.

Hamels, 31, has been a rare bright spot on the basement-dwelling Phillies, sporting a 3.26 ERA and 1.168 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 34 walks in 99.1 innings pitched. The three-time all-star will earn $23.5 million this season and is set to make $70.5 million over the next three seasons with a $20-million option for 2019.

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