Amaro not likely to trade Hamels

MILWAUKEE -- General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has said some Phillies players are more untouchable than others as the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches.

Cole Hamels is one of the most untouchable players.

He is just 30 years old and presumably has a few more prime years remaining in his career, if he stays healthy.

Not that it would be easy to trade Hamels. He is owed at least $96 million in salary following this season. The number jumps to $104 million if a 2019 option automatically vests. Hamels also has a limited no-trade clause, although FOXSports.com reported that Hamels' list allows trades to the following teams without his approval: Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Cardinals, Nationals, Braves, Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said it would be tough to lose Hamels.

"Pitching is the name of the game," Sandberg said. "Pitching and defense. You can't have enough pitching, depth in pitching. Not only at the Major League level, but the Minor League level, having backups. You can't have enough. That's something that we need to beef up on here, pitching throughout the organization."