Ruben Amaro Jr. Says He "Certainly Has To Consider" Trading Hamels For Long-Term Help

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --  Is it nuts for the Phillies to trade their best player? On the WIP Morning Show, over 50% of fans voted that the Phillies should listen to offers for Cole Hamels and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. kept the door open on that possibility, as the trade deadline approaches.

"I have to keep my mind open on everything," Amaro Jr. told Angelo Cataldi and the WIP Morning Show on Monday. "Again, some of these guys have limited no-trade clauses. Clearly, we'd like to keep Cole Hamels because I think he's going to be a part of any transition we might have to make."

Listen: Ruben Amaro Jr. on the WIP Morning Show

On July 27th, 2012 Cole Hamels, one of baseball's best pitchers, and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a contract extension worth $144 million over six years. In 12 starts this season, Hamels' 2.76 ERA ranks 17th in Major League Baseball, but a lack of run support has Hamels suffering with a 2-4 record.

Hamels, 30, is by far the Phillies biggest commodity and Amaro Jr. admitted that if the return is worth it, he has to consider trading Hamels.

"We'd be better off with him than without him," Amaro Jr. said. "At the same time, it's my job to explore all possibilities and if there is something that could advance us in a way that would help us long-term, I certainly have to consider it."

After stringing together five straights win, the Phils dropped their last two games in St. Louis completing a seven game road trip against the Braves and Cardinals with an impressive 5-2 record. The Phillies are now 34-40, but only five games out of first place in the National League East.

Amaro Jr. admits he is still deciding whether the Phillies will be buyers, sellers, or both at the trade deadline.

"I've had pretty constant dialogue," Amaro Jr. admitted. "Right now, we're in a little bit of a limbo, as you could imagine, because we've played better baseball. We just have to continue to assess what we have and what we need going forward."

"Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. A lot of it depends on what the players show me and the health of the players as we get closer to the deadline."