By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Jeremy Hellickson trade sweepstakes — something I never envisioned typing a year ago — seem to be reaching its peak of heel digging.
Wednesday afternoon, ESPN's Jayson Stark reported that the Philadelphia Phillies are seeking one of an organization's top five prospects for Hellickson, or they would hold onto him in hopes of receiving a compensatory pick in free-agency this off-season. While that one point suggests that the Phillies are less than likely to move Hellickson, Stark eloborated further and predicted that the Phillies will still end up trading Hellickson:
Those teams are reporting that the Phillies are looking for a young player who "isn't your best prospect but would fit somewhere in your top five prospects" in return. Their rationale is that, as a Scott Boras client approaching free agency, Hellickson is a player they would almost certainly tender a qualifying offer to this winter, with confidence that he'd be unlikely to take it. As such, they're telling clubs that they see no upside in trading him without getting a player better than the No. 35-40 pick in the draft, which is what they'd end up with.
Although it's probable that they find a taker this week, Hellickson is one of those players who seems to rank as no team's first choice but slots as a Plan B for a number of teams. His next start for the Phillies is Saturday in Atlanta. It's now a good bet that he'll make that start.
Stark's colleague Jerry Crasnick reported yesterday evening that it is a 'virtual lock' that Hellickson is traded before the trade deadline.
Saturday evening, the Phillies will play the league's worst team in the Atlanta Braves. While it's unlikely Hellickson will be able to stay as hot as he has been over the course of his last two starts — he's allowed just one run over 14 innings in two starts against the Miami Marlins, the Braves are about as good of a team to face in what may be a final dress rehersal for a contender. Saturday is July 30, so it would be Hellickson's final chance to pitch before the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline.
In his first season with the Phillies, Hellickson has gone 7-7 with a 3.65 ERA, 107 strike outs and a 1.12 WHIP. The 29-year-old can become a free-agent at the end of the 2016 season.
