Signing Cole Hamels to a contract extension is "not a pressing need," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, "but it's something we're absolutely on top of." Amaro has explained the timetable to Hamels and his agent, John Boggs. Gelb says the Phillies do not want to trade Hamels.
Hamels commented last night to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, "It's not really on my mind because I'm still locked in with the team, which I'm happy about. It'll work its way out. I'm just going to go out there and focus on pitching. I feel like I have a really good agent, [John Boggs]. I hope he has a good relationship with [general manager] Ruben [Amaro Jr.] and they'll be able to work well together." Hamels later added, "You don't really think the grass is greener on the other side. This is the organization I've come up with. We're winning. Why would you ever want to leave? You want to be on a winning team, and the team wants to win."
Hamels could earn $14MM or more in 2012, his last year of team control before hitting free agency. He expects to be ready for Spring Training following an October elbow procedure to remove loose bodies. In general, Hamels noted that he feels no need to sign quickly due to fear of failure or injury, having come back from a broken arm in high school.
Would I be right in saying that signing Jimmy Rollins would hurt the amount of money that they have to spend on Hamels?
I don’t think so. Hamels is the top priority. They’ll find room for him regardless of JRoll.
I did the math on another thread and I figured them to have enough money to sign Jimmy Rollins and pay Hamels, Pence, Kendrick, Fransisco, and Valdez if they have a $175 million dollar payroll next year. (assumed Jimmy would get $12 million a season, Pence $10 million, Hamels $10 million in the first year of a backloaded deal).
If they go to $180million, they could potentially afford Rollins, Cuddyer, Pence, Kendrick, Fransisco, and Valdez + Hamels if they backload his deal and pay him $9-$12 million the first year of his contract. (Cuddyer I figured at $11 million). It really depends on the asks and how the contracts are structured.
My math’s probably off though because I have no idea what Kendrick and Fransisco could get out of Arbitration.
I’m going to try to do another analysis later when I find out what the payroll’s currently at.
Olney specifically said last night that Hamels was not getting traded actually.
I honestly don’t know how Rosenthal fell into Olney’s latest round of trolling. He’s usually a respected journalist and I still can’t believe he posted that story this morning. There is no way in hell that Hamels is going anywhere. The pitching staff is only getting older, and at 27, Hamels is still young and will eventually lead this staff after Doc and Lee retire, so why would they move him. I also don’t think his contract will affect J-Roll’s possible return (or a possible run at Reyes, given that Ruben is a madman that loves big names), since they have money already earmarked for Hamels and Pence. Look for Hamels to sign an extension very similar to Weaver’s and King Felix’s deals. He’s not a $20M pitcher yet, no matter how much Olney and Rosenthal want to troll.
Don’t assume doc is going to retire. He isn’t that old. And doesn’t rely on velocity and does rely on amazing movement he could easy pitch another 4-5 years. Remember even now he is one of the few true aces in the league he still has time to move to. #2, 3, 4, 5 and he will still be expensive. Assuming the phillies resign Cole. He and lee at the same time will be making 20+ mill a season. Add to that howards 20, pence will be expensive fast and utley isn’t cheap. Your talking 70-80 million between 5 players that’s with out Shane and a probable halladay extension.
Olney definitely initially brought up that Hamels could be traded, glad to see he’s come to his senses now. I can only hope Rosenthal does too because he’s better than that
Trade Hamels? Hmmmm, the rumor probably starts like this: Rival GM calls Amaro and asks
what it would take for the Phils to trade Hamels. Amaro responds that they’re not intersted in trading him, but if they ever are he’ll get back to him (professional courtesy). Media guy (Olney) hears rumor that rival GM and Amaro had “discussed” trading Hamels and posts the rumor, which never had any substance to it in the first place.
Actually, it started out with Buster Olney thinking because the Phillies aren’t discussing an extension with him, it must mean they want to trade him.
He didn’t sign his last contract until January. The Phillies have a history of signing arbitration eligible guys until January… Buster just likes to ignore facts sometimes.
His defense of his speculation was that “they did it with Cliff Lee…” but again, he ignored facts because the Phillies also acquired Roy Halladay and considered trading Cliff Lee a huge mistake.
I saw Hamels at a bar in town the other weekend and took a picture but could only get the back of his head…yea i’m creepy like that.
As a Phillies fan, its good to hear it out of his mouth that he wants to stay
It makes sense. They would have to get a MONSTER return though. I’m talking third baseman, second baseman, and an outfielder, everyone of which is a big time prospect. Hamels–in my mind–is the best lefty in the game. He is turning 28. His best years are ahead of him. He will get something like 6 yr/$100 million. If the Phillies re-sign Rollins to the 3 yr/$30 million deal that he could get, then I don’t see how they can keep Hamels.
And the idea that they would trade Hamels and sign CJ Wilson is absurd. It makes no sense to sign a 31 year old to a 5 yr/$80-100 million deal if you wont commit that to Hamels.
Phillies can easily afford Rollins and Hamels.
They have plenty of money to sign Hamels, and most likely, they’d backload the deal heavily.
Monster return? Roy Halladay didn’t get that type of return when he was (and still is) the best pitcher in baseball. He’s nowhere near Roy Halladay. These trade proposals by Phillie fans are getting ridiculous, almost as bad as Yankee fan proposals. Also, best lefty in the game? :Facepalm:
SERENITY NOW!
he is younger and lefty. Not saying he is better, but have more suitors because he can help a contending team or even a team on the cusp.
Also, Travis D’Arnaud and Kyle Drabek are decent prospects. d’Arnaud could be top 15 prospect next year.
He is 28 years old come opening day. Thats the difference.
AND. Who do you suggest is the best lefty in the game? CC? No. He may have a larger body of work, but Hamels has put up better numbers in both of the last two seasons. He is in his prime.
I know it’s kind of like splitting hairs–trying to figure out who the best is–but in an age where left-handed starters are not plentiful, I don’t think it’s all that outlandish to say Hamels is the best.
Ok, so, Matt Gelb has the payroll at $119.2 without arbitration raises and whatnot. So, the way I see the offseason playing out, the Phillies could make these moves based on their targets.
$12 million for Jimmy Rollins
$12 million for Michael Cuddyer
$14 million for Hamels
$10 million for Pence
$3 million for Lidge
So that would put them at $170.2 million with money left for Valdez, Kendrick, Schneider, Fransisco, and their league minimum guys.
They’re going to sit him down and say “Look, We’re gunna turn you into the next Steve Carlton. You’re going to retire a Phillie legend. We’re already started on the statue. Oh and here’s 22.5 million dollars.” And thats that. I think Cole Hamels will be a Phillie longer that Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee. And possibly better.