By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
It appears the J.A. Happ trade to the New York Yankees was the domino needed to fall to further trade discussions regarding fellow 2008 World Series champion, Cole Hamels of the Texas Rangers.
While the Chicago Cubs are "making inroads" and have a "real chance" to acquire Hamels, per the New York Post's Joel Sherman, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan links two other teams which could be in pursuit of the 13-year veteran: the National League East's Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.
There appears to be more than just the Cubs in pursuit of Hamels… the Phillies could be one…. the Braves have been watching the Rangers closely of late
— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) July 26, 2018
Hamels, 34, is earning $23.5 million this season, and has a $20 million club option for 2019 with a $6 million buyout. The Rangers are willing to pick up salary in the deal "if it increases the value of players in return," per Sullivan. Salary would not necessarily be a concern for the Phillies, however, who have the fifth-lowest payroll at $96.8 million, according to Spotrac.
Read: Former Phillies LHP Cole Hamels Spotted in Ocean City, New Jersey
This season, Hamels is 1-7 with a 6.41 ERA, 53-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.508 WHIP in 10 home starts, as opposed to 4-2 with a 2.93 ERA, 61-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.229 WHIP on the road. A change of scenery might benefit the four-time All-Star, who is just 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA overall in his third full season with the Texas Rangers.
Hamels has said he would "absolutely love" to return to the Phillies, who will honor the 10-year anniversary of the 2008 World Series champion team on Sunday, August 5. The Yankees were also reported to show interest in Hamels, but instead opted to acquire Happ on Thursday for infielder Brandon Drury and outfielder Billy McKinney.
Phillies general manager Matt Klentak commented last Friday that the club is "very encouraged" about its current rotation arms, and are "hopeful" to "stay out of the starting pitcher trade market at the deadline. The club has since been linked, however, to Tampa Bay Rays RHP Chris Archer, and also had "definite interest" in a Happ reunion prior to his Thursday trade to New York.
Southpaw Ranger Suarez will break the Phillies' 260-plus-game streak of not having a left-handed starter when he makes his MLB debut in Thursday's four-game series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. If the Phillies are serious about a postseason run, the club could benefit from having a southpaw in the rotation to complement Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta.
What better southpaw to acquire for a postseason run than one who already went the distance with the Phillies in 2008?
