MLB Trade Rumors: B/R’s 5 Potential Cole Hamels Deadline Blockbusters
July 18, 2012 by Matt Boczar
Filed under Fan News
As the Philadelphia Phillies begin the second half of the regular season, the team’s record of 57-35 puts them 10 games up in first place in the National League East. Now, as the trade deadline approaches, the Phils are scanning the trade market for that one final piece to add to their World Series chances…
…wait, that’s not right. That’s how this season was supposed to go.
Instead, the Phillies have remained in last place in the NL East for much of this season and have yet to make a serious run in the wild-card standings.
And to add to the season’s list of woes, the Phils are coming up on a dangerous combination: Cole Hamels has yet to sign a long-term extension, and the trade deadline is less than two weeks away.
Speculation involving Hamels has ranged from reports that the Phillies are asking for four to five prospects in return in a trade, to news that the team is preparing to make their All-Star a long-term contract offer.
Just in case the Phils do decide to make a deal, I contacted featured columnists on Bleacher Report in order to get a look at the potential blockbuster deals involving Hamels at the trade deadline.