There may be no specifics to go by just yet, but if rumors are to be believed then the Chicago Cubs are closer than anyone to completing a trade for Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels before the MLB trade deadline. Latest word confirms what anyone who knows about Hamels already knew which is that the price to get him will be high. Though this certainly would mean losing someone that the Cubs are huge on in their own organization, the price would certainly be worth it.

To be clear we are not talking about moving more than one big name MLB player or top-five prospect. Whispers about the Cubs trading away Javier Baez or Starlin Castro would make sense. Both are promising players but either would certainly be worth the opportunity to add the always reliable ace to their starting rotation. Even if the Phillies asked for a different player the Cubs are high on, that player would almost certainly be worth it for Hamels.

Obviously there are exceptions to every rule and we all know the Cubs aren’t going to do anything silly like trade away Kris Bryant or anything near that level. For a team that is trying to get themselves over the hump of mediocrity, they must be willing to part ways with someone potentially great in order to add someone who is already great. That exchange makes perfect sense.

Who knows what the Phillies might do in this situation? They could ask for a ridiculous return on a trade for Hamels and the Cubs would have to back out. If the Phillies actually do plan to move him this time around however, the Cubs would do well to offer up whatever reasonable price they ask. Staying in the wild card race and having a tested ace would be worth the price.

David Miller is an MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google