Cole Hamels
2008 Upper Deck World Series Champions Set - Card #PP-50
The Phillies 2008 World Series MVP is turning 39 years old today. His last full season was with the 2019 Chicago Cubs, and his final appearance in a Major League game was a start for the Atlanta Braves against the Baltimore Orioles on September 16th, 2020. It was the only Major League game that he has been a part of since the end of the 2019 season. He gave up three earned runs and was pulled after 3 1⁄3 innings. He latest attempt at a comeback was with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021, but injuries kept him out of action.
Earlier this month, Hamels told the Associated Press that he's attempting another comeback in the hopes that a team will invite him to Spring Training in February. He also mentioned that he is open to pitching out of the bullpen, and he suggested that this would be his final attempt to return to the Major Leagues.
The Phillies have already made several major pitching additions to their 2023 roster. On December 6th, they signed right handed starter Taijuan Walker to a four year deal, bolstering their rotation and at the same time taking away one of the Mets youngest starting pitchers. We got to see Walker pitch for the Mets against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies in August 2021. He was pretty good that night, so I'm looking forward to seeing him in our rotation.
Three days later, they signed left handed relief pitcher Matt Strahm to a two year contract, and on the night before Christmas Eve, it was reported that Craig Kimbrel signed a one year deal with the Phillies. Hopefully there is still magic in the arm of the eight time All-Star closer with a career ERA of 2.31 and 394 saves.
