Did Hamels show his hand?
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Surely, you've noticed it. Cole Hamels has acted and talked like a very confident man. Almost too confident.
Did Hamels show his hand?
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Surely, you've noticed it. Cole Hamels has acted and talked like a very confident man. Almost too confident.
Hamels will soon be a rich man, this much is sure. But as players inch toward free agency, sometimes nerves will dominate. What if I'm hurt? What if I flop?
The Phillies leave Florida on Sunday, and it's almost certain Hamels will return to Philadelphia without a new contract. But the two sides have engaged in negotiations, and it's impossible not to think optimistically about a union when you listen to Hamels speak.
Hamels and his agent, John Boggs, have refused to put any deadline on contract talks. But once the season starts, and Hamels is that much closer to free agency, does anything change?
"No," Hamels said. "My only understanding is if you sign anybody before opening day, you have to deal with the luxury tax. So that's the only thing I know of. Anything after goes toward next season. I understand that's where the Phillies are."
That used to be the case, according to a baseball source. But in the new collective bargaining agreement, the timing of a player's new contract has no affect on average annual value (AAV). The yearly monies against the luxury tax cap are based upon the AAV. Hamels is locked into $15 million for 2012. In the past, some deals were affected by that.
Still, it's interesting Hamels would mention an unprompted detail like that. Boggs was involved in a similar situation before. Last season, one of his clients, Adrian Gonzalez, signed a seven-year deal on April 16 with Boston. The parameters were discussed in spring training and it was not signed until then to avoid further tax penalties.
Hamels said he could not categorize the current negotiations between Boggs and Ruben Amaro Jr., but one baseball source said the two sides are closer than they were at the start of spring training.
"I don't know," Hamels said. "It's all in Ruben's hands. If I get in good shape and I play, the Phillies will make offers, and we'll counter until things look the way they need to look."
There was increased chatter about Hamels this week, not only because spring training is nearing an end, but also with the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers to Magic Johnson and his ownership group for $2.15 billion.
Hamels, of course, is from California. And the Dodgers will be looking to make a spalsh with their new cash this winter. What was Hamels' reaction?
"I didn't know Magic Johnson knew anything about baseball," he said.
Hamels said he talks to Boggs once every two weeks. Typically, they'll discuss his golf game or his family.
"I haven't been thinking about it at all," Hamels said. "It's going to be one of those things that lingers until something happens."
But the way Hamels speaks, it sounds as if he knows more than that.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
JUST SIGN HIM. HE IS OUR's AND WE NEED HIM!!!!— MJSI- The tabloid gossip hour continues. Apparently talking about it and writing articles about it will make it happen faster? They aren't going to publicly negotiate. There will be a deal to report when a deal is done. Until then, these articles talking about the fact that Hamels is a free-agent at the end of the year again and again are just pointless. There's dozens of topics related to the team that are much more important and pressing to discuss and report upon than this.— JimG
- Cole has his whole life to move out to California if he wishes. Philly has been his home now for many years and he is part of the community. He isn't going anywhere and they won't let him hit fa— pattymac3
- The Dodgers just paid Matt Kemp 160 million and will have to pay Kershaw the same amount..LA is not happening..be wary of NYankees tho— SilliBilli
- Once again....I am sure there is a deal in place. It will be announced, or not, around the All Star break. Cole will have half a season to show the Phillies his elbow is sound and that he can continue to produce on the field, the numbers that warrant the big $$. The Phils brass will take that half a season to make sure their investment is sound or atleast as sound as can be expected. Neither side is in a big hurry. Hamels won't go anywhere else, unless his performance suffers and the brass decide he isn't worth the money or the gamble, so stop worrying. If he can't make every start every 5 days in the first half of the season, watch out. If his elbow proves to be a lost cause, we don't want him anyway, at any price.
IMH(medical)O, I think he could have a decent 1-3 years but longer than that, I think his elbow is going to be a major issue as it continues to deteriorate. His elbow right now is only a couple years better than Chase's kneecaps. That's what most of you who want him signed NOW and for 6 years/$120mil, are not getting. I can't state it any clearer than that.— Mark1npt - New Dodger owners just paid $2B and want to make a big splash in free agency. In San Diego (where Hamels grew up) talk radio is saying LA will make Hamels an offer he can't refuse.— farley
- "Hamels soon will be a rich man." He's on food stamps and gubment cheese now?
Brilliant prose as always.— Jerome99RIP - Mark you already stated (paraphrasing) its not if Hamels is injured he is injured. Now you say there is a deal in place. Perhaps Hamels elbow in time will be an issue as it happens to pitchers but where do you get your info. Your stating these things as if they are facts If there is a deal in place why would the Phills not announce it now? At this point the Phills might want to know he's healthy before commiting themselves to 100 or so million. Its risky giving any pitcher more than 3 years but the market forces it... Phills look like they need another bat. Im still hoping it will be Brown.— Don w
- What the hell does he know? These articles need to be decrypted anymore...— RonC1
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- One "baseball source" says that the deal is closer than it was at the beginning of Spring Training? Is this "baseball source" a fly on the wall during negotiating sessions? Or does Amaro or John Boggs report to him after each session to detail the progress? Seriously...curious minds want to know.— SteveS11
- Gelb, good catch by you.— PhightinPhil
- Why do dopes compare what happened to Madson with Hamels now? Does anyone really thing Hamels will have to settle for a one year deal next year? Seriously, are you people for real? There is no comparison whatsoever. He may stay, he may go, but Madson getting hurt has zero impact. Dopes.— thingfish
- I still believe Hamels signs a multi-year deal with the Phillies before Howard and possibly Utley are back in the everyday starting lineup. The writers must be taking a day off from hyper-ventilating about the bullpen and the starting infielders. Modern journalism: Dumb "news" is better than no news....— ijj
