The Chicago Cubs have kept in touch with the Philadelphia Phillies regarding a trade for Cole Hamels for quite a while. Are the two sides coming closer to a deal as we sit a week before the trade deadline?

The talks could very well be ramping up.

"MLB sources confirmed to me this afternoon that the Cubs have been in discussions with the Philadelphia Phillies on a deal for Cole Hamels who has three years left on his current contract plus an option year," David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com wrote last night. "While he is an expensive piece he fits the needs of the team to upgrade their rotation while adding a player who would be a part of the team beyond the rest of this season. The Cubs will probably add an additional starter for depth perhaps as a rental type but that is not expected to be a significant acquisition."

It was believed the potential availability of David Price could change the Cubs' trade plans, but that's looking less and less likely.

"In addition, the Cubs front office is hesitant to add a high profile player in the final year of his contract because the players they are being asked to give up in return are significant," Kaplan added.

"The Cubs showed interest in David Price last trading season, but that was when he had an extra year of control," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "It's a bit harder to see them spending in prospects for a rental, but with interest from Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer and the connection to manager Joe Maddon, expect them to be a big player in the winter."

Trade rumors suggested the Cubs are hesitant to part ways with their top prospects, but perhaps Epstein and Hoyer are loosening their grip on the organizations premier talent in their talks with the Phillies.

"An exec of one team that has talked to them said: 'I don't think they'll be in the rental market. So the value to them, with Hamels, is the three years [left on his contract]. This isn't just about selling out to go for the wild card. It's about getting ahead of [the free-agent ace market] this winter,'" ESPN's Jayson Stark reported.

It was previously reported the Cubs' ideal acquisition would be young established pitcher with two or three years left on his deal, but this latest news suggests Chicago might be going for it with Hamels. The team currently holds the second wild-card spot in the National League and has exceeded expectations thus far in 2015. More starting rotation depth would likely further propel them into the postseason race and certainly establish themselves as contenders beyond this year.

And then they can sign another starter in the offseason. This year's class of free agent starters? David Price, (possibly) Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann, Jeff Samardzija, Scott Kazmir, Doug Fister and others.

Watch out for the Cubs to make a big move in the next week.

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