Let the Cole Hamels bidding begin at 5 years, $112.5 million
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Let the Cole Hamels bidding begin at 5 years, $112.5 million
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
While the substance of negotiations between Ruben Amaro Jr. and John Boggs are unknown, today's news that Matt Cain has agreed to a five-year, $112.5 million contract extension should only reinforce what we already know. If the Phillies want to retain Cole Hamels, they are going have to pay him some serious coin.
Earlier this year, we took a look at how Hamels and Cain compare to each other. Long story short, five years and $112.5 million would constitute a hometown discount were Hamels to agree to a similar contract.
According to several reports, Cain will make $20 million per year from 2013-17, with an additional $12.5 million guaranteed coming in the form of a signing bonus and a buyout on an option in 2018. Cain, like Hamels, will make $15 million this season.
So there's your ground floor. On the open market, Hamels would surely command more than the five years and $120 million that the Phillies gave to Cliff Lee.
Last July, we took an early look at the Hamels situation, noting that it would only get more difficult to sign him as he got closer to free agency. At the time, we deemed five years and $95 million to be an aggressive yet reasonable offer. Now, you'd probably have to consider five years and $120 million to be the aggressive yet reasonable offer. Because on the open market, Hamels can certainly make the case that he is worth the seven years and $189 million that C.C. Sabathia got.
by the way, had to admit i was amazed that Cole said out loud the quote i heard on the radio yesterday, that he wasn't worried about not being signed yet because with the surgeries available today can get him back on the field quickly, and missing time would help "save some bullets" in the arm...so Cole, how many bullets you think you got left— jim715- BandS, don't worry Phils don't need to be excused by anybody. Mark, no one on here knows you any more than they know the next poster. Sign Hamels, he's going to be very, very, very rich no matter what.— PhillySubsMac
- Don't let Cole's cool attitude fake ya out. At his age, he will want what the market will bare. Whatever Cain received, Cole will want more due to being a lefty. There is a premium on "ace" lefties. Anyone that thinks differently is crazy. Regardless of his agent, Cole understand the business of being a pitcher in demand (see Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee). Hamels is home grown and has been the pitching face of the franchise, not to mention bringing a WS to the town in 2008. He many not be mercinary, but this is one guy not to play games with. The Dodgers will offer this SoCal native a huge contract, if he is on the open market. If a deal is in place, it won't be announced until AFTER the 16th of April, to help avoid paying the luxury tax. Remember, and extension of an existing contract is calculated on the AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY of the deal. An expensive extension would affect 2012's numbers and probably put the Phillies in the danger zone.— drhoffman
- Ugh. How can the Phils afford him? Or the other question, how can the Phillies NOT afford to sign him. This news made me feel sad.— Vote for Dickie
- Trade Cole to restock- because utley- Howard and Rollins are NOT the future obviously.
He is a guy who would bring you a Boatload of players and prospects.
See- Philadlphia Flyers as an example.
Before you call me an idiot- I think Cole Hamels is a top 5 pitcher but......talk to me in 2-3 3 years when Roy- Cliff- Howard- Rollins- Polanco- are all done.
— Manny Trillo 
Comment removed.- Hamels is a very good pitcher . . . at least equivalent to Matt Cain, hence u are right, five years for 115 million sounds about right. However the Sabathia comparison ain't happening. Hamels ain't as good as Sabathia; even Sabathia's not as good as Sabathia. That is: CC is not worth seven years for 189 million dollars to anyone but Los Yanquis.— aintnorep
- Next time you head to CBP pack a meal.— brio
- Look at the Phillies position now with Halladay, Lee, Howard and Utley. Howard and Utley are not contributing and Hopward has been bad since he signed the contract. They have no power and no place to go unless they can trade some of the contracts.— tulsaphil
- If Cole walks in UFA the run is over. It is that simple.— kwasi2323
- 7 yrs. $189 million - yea, right. No one, not even the Yankees pay that kind of money to Sabathia now. If Cole wants 7 years, I say let him walk.— Claudio Vernight
- 6 years = $140M. Git'er done!!!— ol duke
- clueless rube has destroyed the team with idiotic contracts and now can't afford Hamels as they will lose any talent under age 32— warbiscuit
- some of the money recently squandered by clueless rube: Howard $125 mil ($125 mil over actual value), Rollins $33 mil (20 mil. over approp. contract for good field shortstop), Blanton $24 mil ($23 mil over contact for minor league equivalent), Kendrick $7 mil. ($6 mil. over equivalent), Papelbon $50 mil. ($42 mil over eqivalent), Ibanez $36 mil (18 mil over value), Polanco $18 mil. ($17 mil over value)— warbiscuit
- This is silly. Let him be a Trolley Dodger. He's a 14-win guy and as Jayson Stark says, "a near ace." Time to invest in offense.— TomO
