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          The GM's Office

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          Pitchers and catchers to watch this spring

          Phillies pitchers Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels are two players worth tracking closely this spring. Getty Images
          • Jim Bowden, ESPN Baseball AnalystFeb 22, 2015, 02:10 PM ET
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            • Senior baseball analyst for ESPN Insider
            • Former GM of the Reds and Nationals
            • Author of "The GM's Office" blog
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          Pitchers and catchers for nearly all MLB teams have reported by now, and the drama is ongoing. We are already monitoring injuries, trade rumors, comebacks and how players on new teams are fitting in. I'll be in Arizona and Florida at various times this spring, and here are 12 pitchers and catchers I'll be monitoring closely and talking to people about.

          1. Cole Hamels, SP, Philadelphia Phillies (trade candidate)

          lastnameThe Hamels trade talks are not going away. It's pretty simple: The Phillies must rebuild, and teams needing the final piece to get them to October will stay engaged with the Phillies, as well as scout Hamels' every appearance. Every pitch, everything being said and any soreness, normal or otherwise, will be overanalyzed by scouts and front offices. If there's an injury to a key pitcher or a top prospect doesn't look quite as promising, that's what will make a Hamels deal happen.