Cole Hamels Pursuing 1-Year Deal With a Contender

After another October sitting at home for the postseason, Cole Hamels knows exactly what he wants to do in order to ramp things up next year.

Hamels says he is most focused on signing with a team that can compete for a World Series in 2020, and more likely than not with a one-year deal.

Hamels, 35, tells MLB.com he can "bounce around" the MLB for the remainder of his career so long as his teams are putting forth a serious effort to reach the playoffs. The Chicago Cubs, Hamels' team for the last season and a half, declined to extend him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent this winter.

Hamels struggled late last season after missing some time due to an oblique injury. He later said he rushed back from the ailment too quickly.

Hamels also says his longtime team, the Philadelphia Phillies, could be a great landing spot and he would consider signing a multi-year deal with them if one was available. Hamels spent the first eight-plus seasons of his career with the Phillies and won 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP honors there.

The Phillies' rotation struggled last season, though Hamels' experience and will to win could allow them to invest more in their starting staff if the fit feels right.