When the Philadelphia Phillies opted to sign Cole Hamels to a mammoth six-year extension last week, it was widely believed that they'd need to shed some salary -- and that Cliff Lee would likely have to be one of the players available in trade talks.

That notion was shut down last week, but with just over 24 hours remaining in the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, it looks like Lee is once again available -- and that the Texas Rangers are interested in acquiring the lefty ace.

Source:Cliff Lee is in play in trade talks today. Rangers obviously the most logical landing spot, with 3B Mike Olt as possible centerpiece.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 30, 2012

Lee is going to make a boatload of money over the next three years, earning $25 million dollars each of the next three seasons.

I speculated earlier this month that Lee to the Rangers makes sense, and after missing out on Zack Greinke, it looks like the Rangers might be serious about reacquiring their one time ace.

For more on the Rangers, head over to Lone Star Ball.