Rumors

Many local and national baseball writers have been on the Sports Bash recently to discuss what the Phillies should do with Cole Hamels.

On July 7, 2008, the Cleveland Indians traded C.C. Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers for Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson, Matt LaPorta and a players to be names later who became Michael Brantley.

And you thought the All-Star Break meant baseball was on siesta.

At 13 games under .500 and in last place at the All-Star Break, the Philadelphia Phillies are likely to be sellers

Ruben says he’s not. Sources say he is. We say he should be. Truth and opinion aside: To mull over any potential Cole Hamels deal, we’ve first got to look at the potential haul..

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Monday that he is still hoping to sign Cole Hamels to a long-term deal. ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Phillies "would have a really tough time getting anything close to their asking trade price" of four or five prospects for Cole Hamels and as you know Jon Heyman of CBSSports...

The scoopage, per Danny Knobler's (CBS) write-up Monday that quotes one rival club official, who apparently had just gotten off the phone

Ruben Amaro brushed off any Cole Hamels trade talk with a broom of ceramic bristles Monday. Said Amaro, when asked about a Jon Heyman over-the-weekend report:

AUDIO (ESPN): In clowing on the weekend’s top slop series, John Kruk concedes that fifth place in the NL East is exactly . Karl Ravech asks the white elephant question — “Yeah, so they’re probably not making the playoffs, huh...

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com is reporting that Phillies have been making calls to gauge trade interest in pitcher Cole Hamels.