Phillies Notes: Will Chase Utley Waive his No-Trade Clause, Hamels Wants Out

While the Phillies just wrapped up the second week of the baseball season, there doesn't seem to be much of a surprise, this team isn't very good.

Two names that will continue to come up in trade talks this season will be Chase Utley and Cole Hamels. Utley had said before he wants to stay in Philadelphia, Hamels has been somewhat indifferent.

Now at 4-9 maybe the feeling are starting to change,

As ESPN.com MLB insider Buster Onley points out in his latest coulmn, Utley may follow former Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and waive his no-trade clause for the right deal. Furthermore, according to some baseball executives, Hamels is ready to move now.

From Onley's column:

Over the past year, other teams have been told that Chase Utley will not accept a trade out of Philadelphia. But there is some curiosity about whether this will change, in the face of the Phillies' dim prospects now or in the immediate future.Jimmy Rollins chose to leave, accepting a trade to the Dodgers, and rival evaluators believe Cole Hamels wants out as well.

Utley has gotten out of the gates slowly, hitting just .116 (5-for-43) on the season, while Hamels has looked sharp in his three starts, going 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA, giving up seven home runs in 18 innings pitched so far.

Moving Utley might not be as easy it one might seem.  While teams might view him as an upgrade at second base, if he continues to struggle, he might be tough to move.  Utley is making $10 million this season and is due $15 million in each of the next three seasons if he makes 500 plate appearances.

While Utley night not be as bad as his early season struggles have suggested, but will a team want to take on that contract for a 36 year old, who is clearly on the backend of a great career.

(ESPN.com senior baseball writer Jayson Stark talks about the possibility of dealing Utley, Hamles and more)