Count me as one who would LOVE to see the Phils sign Cole Hamels, absolutely love it. For several reasons. For one, this current administration has no sentimental attachment to Hamels so if they sign him its because they think he can still pitch but I don't know about you but it sure seems to me that we almost have to go back to Cole Hamels 2015 to recall the last time this team had a genuine southpaw in the rotation.
For another, this team is in deep need of a "story line" some reason to care about the season and Hamels provides an instant one. All the successful Phillie teams of the past had a "story line:, be it the the thunder of the bats in '77 or '09, the "win or get lost" 1980 team, the Wheeze Kids of '83, the Wild Bunch in '93 or the "Rollins guarantees in '07-08. I cannot recall a year as a Phillie phan when I have read more national stories about how simply irrelevant the Philadelphia Phillies are...and 2.5 years of .500 ball will do that to a franchise.
Frankly, other than the true diehards [if you are reading this you are likely one of those rare birds] no one cares about this team, no one. Hamels will give the city and its phanbase a reason to care again.
Finally, personally, I am tired of the rolodex file of relievers streaming through town, most of whom seem to forget how to pitch when they get to Philadelphia. And I am frankly completely over the acceptance of "please give us 4 good innings, Mr. Moore, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Velasquez. Given the state of the bullpen and the fact that starters 4-6 are wildly cheered if they can get into the 5th inning, I submit for your approval a different concept...a rotation that can give us 6+ solid innings so the bullpen has less innings to blow a lead and the 3 four inning Amigos [Moore, Anderson, VV] can be given their thanks but no thanks rotation spots to someone else. Hamels sure sounds like a solid three month possibility to me.
As for hurting his legacy? For a franchise that has won less WS titles than this weeks Flying Saucer reports, Hamels and his legacy is secure. He can only enhance it if he is successful, not hurt it if he fails. And I do trust DD, Fuld and Co. to only sign him if he appears healthy and ready to assist. This division can be won, its there for the Phils to grab if they only improve their pitching thismuch!
Cole Hamels would give us a reason to care again, a reason to watch without flipping TV stations to reruns of All in the Family every other inning. I hope Hamels shines on Friday, signs on Sunday and defines on Monday his reasons for coming home...because he cares about this city and franchise and wants Philadelphians to care again also.
