Damn Damn Damn. The Philadelphia Phillies and former MVP lefty Cole Hamels agreed to a six-year, $144 Million deal. Yes $144 million. Whew!
The extension seals that Hamels will be a Phillie until the 2018 season and has a vesting option for 2019 with a limited no-trade clause.
Hamels’ deal is by far the largest deal ever for a Philadelphia athlete and second highest ever for a pitcher behind the New York Yankees CC Sabathia who signed a $161 million deal in 2008.
Hamels, 28, becomes the third Phillies starter making $20 million per season, joining Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.
A three-time All-Star, Hamels is 11-4 with a 3.23 ERA this season and owns a career record of 85-58 with a 3.38 ERA in seven years in Philadelphia. The lanky lefty has never won more than 15 games in a season, and his 2.79 ERA in 2011 was the only time he was under 3.06.
Hamels reached the majors in 2006 after battling injuries in the minors. He went 15-5 with a 3.39 ERA in his first full season in 2007, establishing himself as the team’s ace and helping the Phillies win the first of five consecutive NL East titles.
The Phils are currently in last place in the NL East and are looking for ways to somehow creep into the playoffs. Hopefully the signing of Hamels’ is a great start.
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