Phillies, Hamels agree on 1-year, $15 million deal

MONEY might not be able to buy you love, but it can buy you time. At least that's what Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro is hoping after avoiding arbitration and signing lefthander Cole Hamels to a 1-year deal for $15 million.

Both sides hope this is the just a step toward a long-term deal, perhaps similar to the 5-year contracts Roy Halladay ($100 million) and Cliff Lee ($120 million) already own. Hamels will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2012 season. He made $9.5 million in 2011.

"It was a fair deal for everybody involved, and it was a pleasure working with Ruben on this," said John Boggs, Hamels' agent. "He's always a consummate professional in the dealings I've had with him. Now it's time to concentrate on 2012 and to try to win a championship."

Boggs did not discuss what he had in mind for Hamels, but the market is tilting in favor of the lefthander. C.J. Wilson, age 31 and coming off just two very good seasons, recently inked a 5-year deal for $77 million from the Angels.

Hamels turned 28 last month. Boggs and Amaro are expected to meet during spring training.

Hamels was 14-9 with a career-best 2.79 ERA last year. He finished fifth in the National League Cy Young voting (Halladay was second, Lee third) and made the All-Star Game for the second time. Hamels' victory in Game 3 of the NLDS was his seventh career postseason win, breaking the franchise record he held with Steve Carlton.

"It's a competitive town, and Cole Hamels is a real competitor," Boggs said. "That's what Philly is all about. They like competitors. At the end of the day, that's the biggest attraction for him."

If Hamels proves he's healthy after postseason surgeries for a sports hernia and loose bodies in his pitching elbow, then back up the Brink's truck. Boggs also noted one other thing working in Hamels' favor.

"With the greatness of that rotation," the agent said, "Cole is the one that's got a world championship ring."

In other Phillies news:

* The team did not agree to a contract with outfielder Hunter Pence before yesterday's deadline to exchange salary figures, but still can before hearings are held Feb. 1 to 21. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported that Pence filed at $11.8 million, while the Phillies countered with $9 million. The arbitration panel must choose either the player's figure or the team's figure. Last year, Pence won $6.9 million in arbitration from Houston, before he was acquired by the Phillies as a key piece of the lineup.

* Infielder Wilson Valdez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a 1-year deal for $950,000. Valdez made $560,000 in 2011, when he hit .249, but played terrific defense.

* The Phillies officially signed righthander Joel Pineiro to a minor league contract. Pineiro, 33, was 7-7 with a 5.13 ERA in 27 games (24 starts) with the Angels last season.