Phillies shouldn’t allow Hellickson to make another start

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

A season ago, the Philadelphia Phillies traded Cole Hamels after his greatest start with the club — a no-hitter. Jeremy Hellickson didn't throw a no-hitter Wednesday night, nor will he bring back the same type of return that Hamels did, but there's something to be said for the Phillies selling him after his best start with the team. 

In Tuesday's win over the Miami Marlins, Hellickson went eight innings, while scattering five hits and striking out eight. The 29-year-old reportedly did so in front of scouts from various potentially interested clubs, and against the team that's potentially his most interested suitor.

Hellickson, who can become a free-agent after the season, isn't going to bring back a franchise-changing haul in a trade, but the fact that he seems to be hot entering the most important part of the season shouldn't hurt his trade value. Allowing him to start again would potentially expose him to the risk of getting injured, which would likely cost the Phillies any chance to get value for him. It's also possible that he could struggle in any future start for the Phillies, which seems like an unnecessary risk for the team to take. 

The MLB's non-waiver trade deadline is August 1, so Hellickson could potentially make two more starts before the trade deadline and still be moved. Ironically, his next scheduled start for the Phillies would come next Monday against the Marlins. It's also possible that he pitches in that game, but as a member of the Marlins, against his former team. The possibility also exists that he's pitching somewhere else in the country, which may be best for the Phillies if Hellickson continues pitching this well.