Cole Hamels’ spring training debut created plenty of buzz.
Hamels’ Grapefruit League start against the New York Yankees at Bright House Field on Friday drew 24 scouts, according to MLB.com. The Philadelphia Phillies ace, of course, has been the subject of trade rumors since the beginning of the offseason.
Hamels didn’t let the extra attention bother him, either. The left-hander held the Yankees to just one hit over two shutout innings. He struck out two and didn’t issue any walks.
“This has been a great spring, just from a sense of the overall team aspect of what we’re trying to do out there, how we’re trying to implement a new focus,” Hamels told reporters in Clearwater, Fla., after his outing. “But at the same time, we all know that we have to get ready, and we have to be as competitive as we possibly can. So for what I like to do, and how I try to prepare, I’ve kept to the same sort of routine.”
The Boston Herald’s Michael Silverman reported Saturday, citing a source, that the Texas Rangers were interested in Hamels even before their ace, Yu Darvish, suffered an elbow injury that could cost him the entire 2015 season.
The Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and at least two other teams also are believed to be in on Hamels, according to Silverman.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
