Report: Phillies Willing to Talk About Lee and Hamels

By PATRICK GORDON | Managing Editor
@Philabaseball

ESPN's Buster Olney reported Tuesday morning the Phillies are "ready and willing" to talk to other clubs about Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels.

Keep in mind, willing to talk and actively shopping are two very different scenarios. 

Hamels is in the midst of a seven-year deal worth $153 million with a club option for 2019. Lee, the more likely of the two to be shopped, is signed through 2015 and has a vesting option for 2016.  

The Phillies currently have just five starting pitchers on their 40-man roster and entered the Winter Meetings looking to add depth to the rotation.

According to a source close to the Review, the only way Hamels or Lee are dealt is if the Phillies somehow trade either Domonic Brown and/or Jonathan Papelbon and receive major league ready pitching talent in return.  

UPDATE: According to multiple sources, the Phillies have said they will not absorb salary in a deal involving Lee or Hamels. 

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