Phillies Want Best Trade Offers for Hamels by Wednesday

Interested in Cole Hamels? Well, that now means it's time for your to show your cards.

While the non-waiver Trade Deadline is not until 4 p.m. ET on Friday, the Phillies have told teams to have their "best" offers in by Wednesday, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports.

At that point, the Phillies will choose which one of their suitors is the most attractive apparently.

The team already dealt closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Nationals on Tuesday, and could be looking to finish up their deadline deals a few days early. The more likely explanation, however, is that the Phillies are trying to drive up the price for Hamels and do so while as many teams remain in the market for a starter as possible.

Currently, the organization remains in talks with a number of clubs, including the Dodgers, Rangers, Cubs, Giants, Diamondback, Yankees, Red Sox and even the Astros, who are now apparently in running for the Phillies' ace.

The Phillies seem poised to unload Hamels by Friday's deadline, even going as far as to bump his scheduled start back from Thursday until Friday after the deadline has passed.

Things continue to heat up as the deadline approaches, and one thing is for sure, the Phillies and their fans will be dealing with quite a bit of anxiety over the next few days, which will likely affect the immediate and long term future of the organization.

Hold onto your butts everyone!

By: Kyle Babcock
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