I can't believe the Phils are sellers on July 1st. Utley is back and Howard and Doc will be back sometime this month. They could be trying to stay under the salary cap for luxury tax purposes. They sell out every game. If they have a fire sale the sellouts will end. If they are overwhelmed by a certain team they probably would be inclined to trade. That team will not be us. They have a special relationship with Big Jim. They might just wanna see Jim go to a team in the race.

Hey, they could be in talks with teams about these players but seems strange they would shut their season down at this point. I would highly doubt the would move Doc or Cliff at any point. How long is pence signed for and for how much. I would think he'd be a keeper also. Howard can't be moved and the same with Utley. Planco could be had. Interesting player. If I was them, I'd trade Lee and sign Hamels. Much younger.

Cole Hamels should be our #1 target. After Kersh, there's nobody we can consistently count on. Who knows how Cap will really do in a big game. Lilly Bills and Harang don't inspire me.

I know we could sign him this offseason, but remember, if we do sign him, we forfeit 2 top draft picks.

So would we rather get Hamels now for sure, costing us, for example, Lee and Eovaldi, or sign him in the winter, costing us 2 top picks that can be used to replace Lee and Eovaldi?

I think it's worth it to get Hamels NOW.

Cliff Lee lhp
5 years/$120M (2011-15), plus 2016 option

¦5 years/$120M (2011-15), plus 2016 option

¦signed by Philadelphia as a free agent 12/14/10
¦11:$11M, 12:$21.5M, 13:$25M, 14:$25M, 15:$25M, 16:$27.5M club option ($12.5M buyout)
¦option becomes guaranteed if Lee 1) is not on the disabled list at end of 2015 season with injury to left elbow or left shoulder, and 2) has 200 IP in 2015 or 400 IP in 2014-15

¦limited no-trade protection

I figured Cliff would have something like a limited no-trade clause. I think he took a little less to play with Philadelphia.

I also think that any team that wants to trade for Hamels will want Hamels to sign an extension now instead of becoming a FA. Not sure if he'd do that for anyone. If he won't, then obviously Philly would get lesser prospects.

Now if the rumors are true that he'd like to be a Dodger, since he's from here and all, then maybe he would consider an extension with us, thus making it easier for us to get him?

Philly also needs to weigh the prospects they get now vs. the 2 top selections they'll get in the draft from the team that signs Hamels in the offseason. If Philly thinks they can draft better than a Zack Lee and an Eovaldi, then they just wait. If they prefer Lee and Eovaldi, who are closer to the bigs than 2 draft picks in 2013 will be, they'll accept those kinds of players.

Let's see!! Either way, the potential of getting Cole Hamels (or my dream of King Felix) is a lot sexier than fat Carlos Lee

Phillies are NOT selling

Utley and Howard came back, so they made a trade that was beneficial to both the classy HOFer and a team with numerous injuries who needed a 1 yr bat

If Thome stayed in Philly, he would get maybe 40 abs the rest of the year...and another player that was more valuable would have to get DFA'd

Ruben Amaro, our GM, actually got 2 prospects from the O's. They are B rated but that is still a good deal for a 41 yr old DH

Hamels is going nowhere until next season
Fridagates is spot on

Victorino will be the only Philly shopped and that will not be until late July, as they wish to see how Utley,Howard,Pence will perform together.

We are not out of contention in the volatile NL east. Only the Nationals I think will have a playoof spot for sure, but injuries could negate that, as Dodger fans know.

I predicted in the beginning of the year that the Phils would finish 3rd...too many injuries to overcome

They r bro they signed Howard and Utley to biuld aaround but Vizcaino, Lee, Hammels expect to be gone Hammels may be therr til end of the yr but they will lose 3 good players by the end of the week book it