Phils and Hamels likely to talk long-term deal in spring training
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Phils and Hamels likely to talk long-term deal in spring training
The one-year deal is done for Cole Hamels. The $15 million he'll be paid in 2012 represents a $5.5 million raise over what he received last season and is the same exact amount the Phillies will pay second baseman Chase Utley for the third straight season.
In other words, the 28-year-old lefty is being nicely compensated as the youngest ace in the Phillies' dream rotation.
A more challenging contract negotation for Hamels and the Phillies lies ahead.
After negotiating the one-year deal with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. Tuesday, Hamels' agent John Boggs said that he will likely be in Clearwater at some point during spring training in an effort to negotiate a long-term deal for his client who can become a free agent after the 2012 season.
"Ruben wanted to proceed in this fashion, and then discuss a multi-year deal later," Boggs said. "I anticipate discussing a long-term deal for Cole as we get into spring training."
Amaro said talks with Hamels "probably" will take place in spring training and confirmed that he wanted to first negotiate a one-year deal for the lefthander.
"We thought it was the right thing to do for us," Amaro said. "It allowed us to establish the one-year value for Cole and I think we did that in an amicable and equitable way. Hopefully we can figure something out long term at the appropriate time."
There is no guarantee, of course, that the two sides will be able to complete such a deal. It's fair to assume, however, that any long-term deal for Hamels will at the very least be worth $20 million per year and cover at least five years. Roy Halladay is making $20 million a year on a deal that will likely cover four years and Cliff Lee's deal averages $24 million over five years.
"I'm always optimistic, but when you get into the real specifics and minutae of a deal, there are usually road blocks going forward," Boggs said. "I think Cole wants to be treated fairly and compensated for where he is at in his career. I've always respected Ruben and hopefully we can try to accomplish that long-term deal. I can't predict what will happen in the end, but hopefully the value they put on Cole is what we feel is appropriate."
Boggs said the Halladay and Lee deals are both fair comparables for Hamels.
"I think the one thing everyone can agree on is that Cole is an elite pitcher," Boggs said. "We'll look at what elite pitchers have received in the past and hopefully he'll get what we think he is worth."
Amaro said the Phillies will continue to negotitate with right fielder Hunter Pence in an effort to avoid a salary arbitration hearing next month. The two sides were required to submit salary numbers with the league office at the 1 p.m. deadline Tuesday. Those numbers were not immediately available.
Exactly.
— EL Zorro- Doesn't make any sense to me why this could not have been a completed extension. Hamels isn't worth the world. He deserves somewhere between 15/18 million per year in the extension. But, damn he's the most important piece for the future of the rotation. They have to re-sign, extend Halladay after this season too.— SeenGreen
- At some point in time, you cannot lock out younger talented pitchers. Halladay is not young any longer nor is Cliff Lee. Hamels needs to have an Ace-like season prior to being paid that kind of money. Regardless of emotion, RAJ has to look into the reality of someone who has back/elbow issues and has yet to win 20 games in a season.— drhoffman
- Considering he's the only "Ace" with a World Series ring and NLCS and World Series MVP awards, I don't think he'll settle in the $15M/$18M. He's also younger than the other 2 and has been the Phils property the entire time. I wouldn't anticipate a discount nor would I expect him to take a contract for less than 5 years unless he wants to leave the Phils at some point. Despite what they told Halladay, they can apparently do a deal for a pitcher for longer than 3 years. They proved it with Lee and Papelbon.— kmon
- He hasn't won 20 yet not because of his pitching. He could have easily won 22 the last 2 years if not for the offensive slumps and ineptitude throughout the season. He deserves to paid as one of the top 10 pitchers.That's it.— SeenGreen
- Not sure why you have to pay Hamels an amount equal to Halladay & Lee. They both have Cy Young Awards. Cole is a fantastic pitcher but he does not. $15M/$18M sounds about right with a huge bonus and maybe a salary bump built in if he does win a Cy Young Award.— habitualloser
- I'd give him Halladay and Lee money because in 5 years, those guys will be gone and Hamels will be a bargain at that price and hopefully just as good as those guys. I'm glad the Phillies are serious about keeping Hamels and I think he'll stay if the money is comparable.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- Doc has a decade of excellence. Lee has a Cy Young. While Hamels is an ace, I wouldn't group him with Doc and Lee yet. If he repeats his 2011 performance in 2012, open the wallet!— palmyra21
- You dont pay them for the past. — tr88
- 15 in 2012. Rising above 20 at the end of a 4 year extension beyond 2012.— mikemaddog
- Cole will win a lot more games, and awards, and when he goes to a new tam, rings, over next 10 yrs than Halladay and Lee— warbiscuit
- And DogBiscuit will make a lot more moronic comments than all other posters combined. Stupid is what stupid does. — DogBiscuitthedope
- palmyra --you seem to make the same mistake as dumb rube --irrlevant what players have done in the past, what's important is what they're going to do in future..there is little doubt that Hamels will win a lot more over next many yrs than Lee and Halladay— warbiscuit
- Hey whiskerbiscuit, since you're apparently an idiot savant who can see into the future and know all that is going to happen with the Phillies please explain to me why you continue to be a fan? — SFPhillyphan
- Seengreen, how is it that Halladay avg's 20 wins the last 2 years with the same "offensive slumps and ineptitue" team behind him that Hamels has? How did Lee manage to win 17 games after getting off to a horrific start? Why are there so many Hamels apologists on here? While I recognize that he has been a very good pitcher, he certainly hasn't been great. Let's say the Phils were bringing in a free agent pitcher who only won 15 games once in his career (going on 5 years now) would you still be saying he's worth 20 mill a year? I doubt it. People love to point out his WS year (going on 4 years) as evidence that he deserves a big contract but they have amnesia when it comes to his pathetic 2009 postseason.— Jmack228
