Phils should keep Hamels

Here's a little nugget to mull over while we wait for baseball to resume after the All-Star break.

I notice that on Sunday, July 27, the Phillies giveaway item at Citizens Bank Park is a Cole Hamels T-shirt.

I like Cole. Sure, I poke fun at some of his California ways. But the truth is he strikes me as basically a nice guy who does a lot of good things in the community. His Cole Hamels Foundation routinely pours money into city schools that direly need it.

Besides, he's my wife's favorite Phillie.

All of which is nice. But he's also a stud pitcher, an ace and a relatively young one at that.

All of this is to say that I hope the T-shirt giveway is not something of a swansong. Hamels' name is being bandied about as the Phillies eye the trade deadline and consider the arduous rebuilding process that awaits.

Clearly the core of this team is on the downside of their careers. Yes, Chase Utley was an All-Star. He came close to homering in last night's Mid-Summer Classic. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard also are likely closer to the end of their career.

I know that not all of these guys are going to be on this roster once the trade deadline passes.

I just hope Hamels is. Yes, I know he's their most valuable chip. But pitchers like him don't grow on trees. The Phils should keep Hamels and try to rebuild around him.