As the Major League Baseball (MLB) deadline approaches, the Philadelphia Phillies are still trying to look for a club to have a trade deal with for starting pitcher Cole Hamels who recently provided a shutout win for them last Saturday.

In a report by ESPN, the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers are leading the race in landing Hamels who have faced struggles this season.

ESPN added in the report that the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and the Boston Red Sox are also clubs that the Phillies are communicating with regarding a trade deal for the 31-year-old baseball player.

But these clubs are having a hard time coming up with possible deals for Hamels unlike reported frontrunners Rangers and Dodgers.

Despite the interests Hamels is drawing, an official from one of the clubs that spoke with the Phillies doubts that a deal for the ace will be reached soon, according to ESPN. 

Philadelphia is reportedly looking to bring trade talks for Hamels near the Friday deadline trying to see if there are clubs willing to pay higher for the veteran. 

In 20 starts for Philadelphia this season, Hamels is 6-7 with a 3.64 earned run average (ERA). 

Meanwhile, another Phillies pitcher is also under the trade spotlight as All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon continues his year-long campaign to leave the club. 

Papelbon already reiterated before and during the All-Star break his desire to be traded after three years with Philadelphia and not making it to the playoffs in each of those years. 

There were previous reports stating that the Phillies may not even have the chance to trade him because of his vesting option that the club is not willing to cover.  

But in a report by CBS Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, and now the Chicago Cubs are the most likely destinations for the 34-year-old pitcher.