Phillies Shopping Cole Hamels?

Cole Hamels, quite possibly one of the best left-handed starters in the game right now, may be on the trading block according to CBSSPorts.com. The Philadelphia Phillies have made some inquiries as to whether there is interest from a few teams. They are looking for at least three young hot players to seal the deal.

The Phillies were expected to have a real shot at a world series title this year. With arguably the hottest pitching staff in the game, offseason signing of all-star closer Jonathan Papelbon and a mean line-up they were a real contender. But now Ace Roy Halladay is on the disabled list and Cliff Lee is winless this season. A few more Philies are injured and the team sits in last place in their division so it may be time to start unloading some payroll.

Hamels is 10-4 with a 3.08 ERA on the season. When the season comes to an end he will be a free agent after the season and sources say that he and the Phillies are still miles apart on a long-term agreement. Hamels was reportedly offered a Jared Weaver sized contract extension ($85 million over 5 years) but he is looking for more of a CC Sabathia sized deal ($161 million dollars over 7 years) and with the market for starting pitching being red-hot he probably will get closer to CC than Jared if he stays healthy.

The Phillies traded Pinch Hitter Jim Thome to the Orioles this week and the CBSSports reported that the Phillies suggested that would no be the end of the sell off. Thome was happy about the trade and even said he would rather pay for a “contending team”.

The Phillies are unlikely just willing to completely give up on the season with the expanded playoff that were instituted this year, but they may be ready to if their situation doesn’t improve before the non-waiver trade deadline of July 31.