Philadelphia Phillies trade rumors still continue to swirl, even after the team pulled off a deal to send starting pitcher Joe Blanton to the Los Angeles Dodgers. That deal hasn't caused the Cliff Lee trade rumors to die down, no matter how many times the general manager of the Phillies might want to claim that there is nothing going on.

The Phillies put Lee on waivers, a move only done by teams trying to trade a player. Lee got claimed by the Dodgers, meaning the team could have acquired him outright. The Phillies decided to pull him back though, simply meaning that the Dodgers are now the only team that they can make a trade with for Lee.

Claiming Lee shows that the Dodgers would still like to acquire one of the best pitchers in the National League and the two sides have until the end of August to consummate a deal. Lee has $87.5 million left on his contract so he wouldn't be cheap, but it is also likely that the Dodgers would have to give up a large amount of talent to get a deal done.

In the end, the Phillies could decide that they are intent on holding on to Lee for the full duration of his contract. Putting him on waivers is just another way to expand their options in case a trade becomes more desirable down the road. It leaves the door open for a deal to get done, even if the teams haven't reached a point amicable for both sides.

What do you think about the Philadelphia Phillies trade rumors? Was the Joe Blanton trade the end of their dealing or do you think a Cliff Lee trade is also coming?

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