Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies Extension Talks Heating Up?

Conflicting reports were issued yesterday regarding contract negotiations between the Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Cole Hamels.  Yesterday afternoon Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reported that talks between Hamels and the Phillies were heating up.  Later in the evening, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports shot down these reports, indicating that nothing was close between the Phillies and Hamels.

Though Salisbury started his article off by writing that “negotiations between the Phillies and pitcher Cole Hamels are heating up”, nothing in the story that followed backed up his initial statement.  Hamels agent, John Boggs, is reportedly in Florida for the week and was seen watching Tuesday’s Phillies-Blue Jays game.

However, Boggs indicated that he’s made the trip east to see several clients, not only Hamels.  Boggs told Salisbury that he is still talking with the Phillies, but that he doesn’t see an extension agreement being reached this week before he returns west.

Boggs gave the same agent-speak he’s been feeding this offseason; he’s optimistic, the Phillies and he are having positive talks, the main goal of negotiations are not to disrupt Hamels as he prepares for the 2012 season, etc., etc.

Hamels hasn’t set a deadline for negotiations, so as much as everyone involved would like to avoid it, extension talks could continue into the regular season.  Buster Olney recently said that he doesn’t feel as if Hamels will give the Phillies much of a hometown discount.

Still, Hamels and the Phillies have expressed a mutual interest in a return and it would seem as if an agreement will ultimately be reached.  Many believe that talks could begin in the six-year, $120 million range, as Hamels has certainly set himself up as a candidate to receive an average annual salary of $20 million-plus.

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