10:10pm: As of early this afternoon, there's no evidence of progress in the Phillies' talks with Cole Hamels, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
8:49pm: Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he remains in contact with Hamels' agent, John Boggs, as free agency approaches, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). While the two sides are keeping dialogue open, they have yet to set any deadlines or target dates in their discussions.
"It's been pretty open. We've kept it open. We haven't made any timelines. I haven't gotten any from them," said the GM.
Hamels is set to be one of the top talents on the open market this winter and at least one team inquired about the hurler early in the year as the Phillies struggled. The Phillies currently sit at 21-21 and at the bottom of the National League East.
I hope the Phillies start to get real with the negotiations… 4 years tacked onto this one isn’t going to cut it… Maybe 5.
If his asking price really is 7, which it should be, it’s probably best to let him hit free agency, even if you’re comfortable hitting that number… you take a chance that the market for him doesn’t develop into what you expect (which it will… if the Yankees offered Cliff Lee 7 years, Cole Hamels can get 7 on the open market… but you never know).
I still think him to LA is being overblown. He’s from there but he’s taken shots at the southern Californian fan base numerous times and has shown a preference to pitch on the East Coast.
Please get a deal done soon, RAJ.
I say let him walk this whole philly team needs to be blown up
No player is unreplaceable.
If Hamels wants too much, just let him walk.
That’s the smart thing to do, the only sensible thing to do.
Amaro needs to run the numbers. I just don’t want to see Phillies end up with yet another 20 mil/year contract.
Offer Hamels 70 mil for 5 years. That’s 14/year. A ton of money, and plenty of years. He may be able to get more elsewhere, but that’s still a whole lot, and IMO Phillies needs to be comfortable with letting guys asking for too much money walk.
well if Amaro listens to you, there will be no more Hamels.
“Offer Hamels 70 mil for 5 years”
That isn’t even close to the BP for a top 5 SP in the game.. Maybe 5/100m as a starter on Amaro’s end and Hamels probably wants far more than that in terms of AAV.. Say Sabathia money as a FA?
5 years $70 million? That’s an insult.
Onley will report the lack of progress in 3…2…1
These postings are getting old. Hamels has virtually ZERO reason to negotiate now with freeagencythisclose. On the flip side, the Phillies would clearly be better off putting $20mil+/yr salary into the field instead of their pitching staff. A rotation of Lee-Halladay-Worley-Blanton-Kendrick is more than strong enough to compete in the regular season for a playoff spot. When it comes to spending in free agency this offseason, it’s time to rebuild the lineup before the window of opportunity is completely shut on them (in particular 3B, LF, keeping CF & RF, and maybe even 2B at this point). Right now they look like the 4th (or dare I say 5th) best team in a really strong division.
On who? Hamilton? Let’s bring a recovering alcoholic into one of the toughest media/fan markets to play in front of.
The only places they can upgrade is left field, third base, and center field. (realistically).
Of those players, the list of names I would even consider (that are either guaranteed or most likely to become free agents) are:
Nick Swisher
Carlos Quentin
Andre Either
Michael Bourn
BJ Upton
Shane Victorino
Josh Hamilton (duh)
Kevin Youkilis
Other than Bourn every one of them has had either a lengthy injury history or is going to be overpaid.
A rotation of Lee-Halladay-Worley-Blanton-Kendrick is more than strong
enough to compete in the regular season for a playoff spot.
It is more than enough… however, you’re signing Cole long term to be the ace when these guys are gone… if he isn’t our best pitcher already.
And if they don’t sign Cole long term they can sign the next Kershaw/Hernandez/ace free agent available when Lee or Halladay’s deal is up.
Keeping Victorino and Pence and adding say either Ethier or Upton from that list would be the more prudent decision.
I wouldn’t gamble on Hamilton in a market like Philly.
If they hit free agency. Halladay’s numbers are already declining (for him at least… they’re still pretty good sub out that game in Atlanta). I think Cliff Lee’ll be effective throughout his contract as his game is simply fastball command.
I kind of want the Phillies to stay away from Andre Either. He’s a good player but I’m afraid we’ll be too vulnerable to lefties with him, Howard, and Utley in the middle of our line up…. not to mention, he’s a health concern also.
I just don’t know if they can really add an offensive piece that’ll come in and make the line up THAT much better.
Phillies are stuck with some bad contracts. They got some good arms in their minor league system, so they should offer Hamels a decent deal, but you can’t go make club busting deals like Texas did with A-Rod and Ruben has done now with Ryan Howard.
The Howard deal will haunt Phillies for many years, make the club less competitive. Had it been the only bad deal it wouldn’t been as big of a deal. But Amaro has made 5-6 deals that put the Phillies payroll in the 160 million ballpark instead of around 110-120 million.
That’s a lot of money to spend on tying up prospects (where are they?!)
How did Phillies manage to screw up Domonic Brown by the way. I’d like to know. He’s hitting below the Mendoza line almost in the minors? 18 months ago he was the next Darryl Strawberry? WTF?
He went down to the minor leagues after Pence was acquired and sulked and he’s been messed up since.
… couple hits today but he’s forgotten how to play defense and like you said his offense has gone missing.
i don’t expect them to sign him at this point..it’d be really dumb on Hamels end to sign at this point TBH…unless they give him an offer he absolutely cannot refuse, he should test free agency. If not, then why in the world would he have waited this long…
at least thats my take. but what do i know…im 20 (though I am older than Bryce Harper….makes me feel like i’ve had such a wasted life haha)
the dollar figure is not the problem its the length that is the big issue.