Report: Cubs claim Hamels off waivers

DENVER -- Just because the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline passed doesn't mean rumors about possible deals have stopped.

There were reports this week that the Cubs had claimed Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels off waivers. This is the time of year when teams put nearly every player on revocable waivers to give them roster and trade flexibility before the Aug. 31 waiver Trade Deadline.

Cubs officials would not comment on the reports.

If Hamels was claimed, the Phillies have 48 hours to work out a trade, and if they do not, they are expected to pull the player back from waivers. Hamels, 30, is guaranteed $90 million from 2015-18, and would definitely be a nice addition to the Cubs' pitching staff.

Hamels has a limited no-trade clause, and the Cubs reportedly are one of the teams he would go to. If the Cubs did claim the left-hander, he would not have any veto power over a potential deal.

However, the price for Hamels would be high, and the Phillies most likely would be looking at one or more of the Cubs top prospects in exchange. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein did say this week that they will be looking to add pitching this offseason and next to complement the core of position players in the system; however, the team is not ready to deal any of them at this time.