Weekend Digest: Hamels wants a trade; Giambi retires; Profar needs surgery

Cole Hamels wishes to be traded

The fact that Hamels was on the block was not a big surprise to anyone; what may have turned a few heads, though, is that Hamels explicitly stated his desire to be traded to a contender.

I just want to win, that's all. That's all any competitor wants, and I know it's not going to happen here. This isn't what I expected. It's not what the Phillies expected, either, but it's reality.

The Padres, Dodgers, and Red Sox have all inquired about Hamels, who has 20 teams on his no-trade list, but are reluctant to part with their top prospects. The Cardinals have also asked, but are unwilling to include Carlos Martinez in any package.

Jason Giambi announces retirement

The 20-year veteran steps away from the game with 440 home runs and 1,441 RBI, spending the last five years primarily as a pinch-hitter and DH. Despite his accomplishments, he'll always have the cloud of BALCO following him wherever he goes even after his admission to steroid use.

Jurickson Profar to have shoulder surgery

Profar hasn't appeared in a regular season game since 2013; he tore his right shoulder in Spring Training of 2014 and during rehab tore it again, forcing him to miss the entire season. He is set to have surgery on Monday. He has been considered one of the Rangers' top prospects; fortunately for him, he's only 22 (his birthday was Friday), so he still has time to realize his potential.

Yankees to retire numbers for Pettitte, Williams, Posada

The Yankees will honor Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte during the 2015 season; Williams will be honored in May, while Posada and Pettitte will be honored on consecutive days in August. In Pettitte's case, his quick admission to HGH use after being named in the Mitchell Report helped soften the criticism, but that hasn't stopped Chuck Knoblauch. The ex-Yankee took a shot at his former teammate via Twiiter.

Congrats to 46. Yankees retiring his number. Hopefully they don't retire it like his HGH testimony.

— Chuck Knoblauch (@chuckknoblauch) February 16, 2015

Stay classy, Chuck.

Dan Haren commits to pitch in Miami

Haren had publicly stated he wanted to pitch in southern California or retire, so when the Dodgers traded him to the Marlins in December, there was a distinct possibility Haren would follow through and retire. Come Friday, he was in camp ready to play.

I wanted to make sure I was going to be 100 percent committed. I didn't want to give a halfhearted effort. Once I was committed in the offseason to putting in the work, I was ready to go for the year...I'm here, I'm happy to be here. I'm ready to get going.

Haren could provide some stability in the rotation until Jose Fernandez returns from TJ surgery.