Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

As the MLB trade leaded draws nearer, all of the rumors that float around start to either gain some credence or be tossed aside. For the Phillies, according to Boston’s WEEI, that means Cole Hamels is probably staying put:

“According a major league source, the Phillies are currently showing no inclination to trade Cole Hamels.

Hamels has been the subject of rumors involving the Red Sox recently, with the Boston Globe suggesting the Red Sox might be viewing the lefty as a top-of-the-rotation replacement for Jon Lester. The 30 year old will be owed $90 million over the next four years, with a team option for 2019 worth $20 million.

It is believed that while the Red Sox had checked in on Hamels availability earlier in the season, there hasn’t been any recent discussions between the Sox and Phillies regarding the starter.”

The squashing of the Hamels rumors comes along with the report that the earlier report that the Dodgers were interested in Papelbon now looks to be untrue, and the Mariners – who were supposedly hot on Marlon Byrd – have moved on. Cliff Lee is still the subject of a decent number of rumors out there, but it’ll probably just be another week or so before those are debunked. So, just prepare yourselves to meet your 2015 Philadelphia Phillies… the same as your 2014 Philadelphia Phillies.

UPDATE: Jon Heyman:

The strong belief, based on talks so far with the Phillies, is that the team would much prefer to trade Cliff Lee than Cole Hamels.

But, as one rival GM said, “Cliff Lee isn’t pitching. So how can you make a deal for him today?”

That is a fair point, but Lee is expected back soon from an elbow issue that has sidelined him for a few weeks, and it’s possible he could pitch in two or three games that could amount to a showcase for the star left-hander.

No shit to all of that.