Phillies Sign Cole Hamels to 3-Year Deal

From Philly.com: (ESPN has more details)

The Phillies have reached agreement on a three-year, $20.5 million contract with lefthanded ace Cole Hamels. The New York Post reported the signing today. A Phillies source confirmed the deal and said it would be announced within 24 hours.

Talk about a steal. It would have been nice to see Hamels locked up for a longer term, but the fact that the two sides came to an agreement is a good sign. After this contract runs out, Cole could be potentially looking at making that kind of money in one year. /please don't leave us for the Yankees, Cole

So I figured out how Cole can resign with the Phillies when this contract runs out: the Phillies win 3 more World Series over the next three years and are just printing money down on Citizens Bank Way and can afford Cole, Ryan, and the rest of the crew at whatever price they want.

Comments

[Mayfly]

Sure, it may look like a steal, but Cole Hamels now has the rights to every soul in the Phillies organization. Yay!

[WFC]

What a joke, Eaton makes more than Hamels. Get a better agent, Cole. Happy to see Hollywood for another 3 years. Amaro is 2/3 on resigning steals.

[T. H.]

Are you paying attention to this, Mr. Ryan Madson????

[Stevek]

Nice to see Hollywood will be throwing for us for a few more years. /cole is acegod

It was indeed a steal.

[Justin Evans]

Because Cole was a Super 2, he'll still have a one more year of arbitration after this contract.

WFC, it is not a joke. No pitcher with Cole's service time will really make as much as Cole will get.

[Amanda]

he'll be here for his "again, again, and again."

[Estebomb]

Great deal! Although I'm still an advocate of the lifetime contract with a blank check for Cole...

[Danny]

This is a decent deal for the Phillies. They gave him the money he probably would have made in arbitration anyway.

The comment made by his agent is very discouraging. He noted that they wanted a deal that doesn't span his last arb year or his free agent years. Hamels seems intent on seeing what his market value is from other teams.

This is not a steal for the Phillies nor is it a poor deal for Hamels. These figures are close to what he would have gotten in arbitration. Stop kidding yourselves. Teams are much more in control of younger players, especially pitchers.

It seems as though Hamels will make the Phillies pay down the line or they will lose him. Prepare yourselves.

[Justin Evans]

Agreed Danny

[TJ]

Cole has 4 years arbitration then he will become a free agent where he can get a monster contract

[Chuckles]

Very smart move by Cole Hamels and his agent. They did not give up his last year of arbitration where he is going to get a huge raise from 9.5 million and then he becomes a free agent.

A lot of the younger players like Pedrioa, Reyes and Longoria are signing bad deals they are losing out on some of there free agent years and the bigger money.

Not only does Cole have movie star looks but he has a brain!!!!! Cole Hamels can do it all.

[Carl P]

Noice! I hope happy well-paid Cole plays exactly like unhappy underpaid played.

[ray]

how is this a steal? that's probably what he would have gotten through arbitration.

Atleast he can stop whining like a bitch now.

[Tony]

chuckles: They do that because they get security, they know where they are going to be for the longterm so they can put down some roots in the area and so if they get injured or become ineffective somehow they still have a hefty steady income. I think thats the smarter move. They might give up some money in the long run but they get the security and they are more than able to live quite well on the "lesser" salaries they are making.

[Philadelphia Champs]

While this is most excellent news, I find myself unable to think about the Phillies right now. I am stretching out, loosening up, and reviewing my game plans for tomorrow.

1) Turn on TV
2) Tune in Eagles game
3) Put on inappropriately crass Eagles t-shirt
4) Open bottle of beer
5) Repeat #4
6) Watch close game, ending in Brian Dawkins interception
7) Purchase plane tickets to Tampa Bay

[Justin Evans]

speaking of the Eagles t-shirts...still waiting on the Do it for Dawk or "Eagles Wins - Wife Goes to Tampa" t-shirts.

[bob]

ok

[BFT]

Hamels is the big winner in this deal. If he stays healthy and as productive over these next three years he all but guarantees himself a stuupid contract ala Sabathia.

As for the Phillies...the penny-pinchers in charge are not going to sign him to that contract. Enjoy the next three years of Hollywood, because that's all we're gonna get.

[Mike H.]

This was the best contract possible for both sides under the union rules. Young guys like Cole get a taste, then they get their big payday.

Yes, Cole's going to command at least $22 million a year. But I disagree with those that say the Phils won't be able to keep him. Ruben knows the economics of this already, and they most likely involve moving Ryan Howard.

[Mostone]

I'm dealing w/ my nerves about tomorrow's Eagles' game by watching Game 3 of the World Series.

[GreggyD]

While MLB Trade Rumors reports that the Phils might be trying to dump some salary by trading Myers (presumably because Ryan Howard will probably ask for upwards of $17 million), Yahoo Sports is saying this per the Boston Globe:

"The Phillies have been arbitration-strapped, with a huge outlay likely headed Ryan Howard's way. The Phillies are trying to find a way to get someone of Sheets's caliber on their staff."

It's counter-intuitive to that whole saving money thing, but I'd be pretty damn happy (as long as Ben stays healthy).

GO BIRDS!!!!!!

[Heath]

Did you see Cole's press conference today? All he kept talking about was the fans & the city. When the assistant GM talked about having another one of these press conferences 3 years from now, Cole said "I'm looking forward to it!" He does no wrong.

Am I the only one that misses the Phillies Champions banner here...