Earlier this week, FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal talked about the “parade of awkward news conferences” that could be ahead for the Phillies in relation to the their inability to move players like Cliff Lee, Ryan Howard, Jonathan Papelbon, and Cole Hamels.
Today, Rosenthal wrote a piece recognizing the reality and likelihood of injuries that could make Cole Hamels even more of a commodity.
“Heck, injuries already are occurring, and most teams are a week or more away from starting formal workouts in Florida and Arizona,” wrote Rosenthal on his blog titled, Just a bit Outside.
He’s very right, in fact. Some key players that have suffered injuries since Jan. 1 include Jayson Werth, Josh Hamilton, Jonathan Lucroy, and Victor Martinez.
The fact of the matter is that injuries, no matter the sport, are common and can happen at any time. To see players getting hurt before spring training even begins is definitely an eye opener, and all it takes is one ace on a contending team (Wainwright, Buchholz) to feel a tweak in his throwing arm, or push-off leg to have their team rushing to the phone and aggressively inquiring about Hamels.
A situation like this will give the Phillies the leverage they need, and will make their chances of getting exactly what they want in return for their all-star left-hander even greater.
