According to Fan Nation, the Texas Rangers are reportedly scouting Phillies' lefthander Cole Hamels. Along with scouting Hamels, the Rangers are reportedly also scouting Brewers' ace Zack Greinke.
Hamels, 28, is a free agent after this season and just as expected he has not spoken a word of his contract negotiations with the Phillies. Hamels signed a one-year $15MM extension for this season at the end of last and it's pretty much known that wherever Hamels goes, he will get paid big time.
The lefthander is 10-4 with a 3.08 ERA this season. A season which has not gone so great for the Phillies, who are currently in last place in the NL East (36-44). It is unclear what the Phillies plans are for Hamels, who has stated that he wants to stay in Philly. Rumors have been flying around for months that the Los Angeles Dodgers are highly interested in him as well as the New York Yankees.
Hamels has stated that a losing season in Philly doesn't effect his decision this offseason.
The Phillies may be sellers by the end of July, starting the "selling" with Jim Thome. Will the Phillies end up trading Cole Hamels to start re-building their team for many years, or will they trade up other players?
Well it's July 1st, ladies and gentleman. This next month is going to be chaos in the baseball world.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
