Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies Contract Negotiations Update

According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers certainly caught the attention of the Philadelphia Phillies.  Not only are the Dodgers viewed as a potential National League powerhouse with the additional resources the new ownership group provides, but LA could also offer Philadelphia competition for its home grown star, Cole Hamels.

Hamels is a Southern California kid, and while Los Angeles is expected to make a splash next winter, when Hamels has the potential to be a free agent, Salisbury doesn’t foresee the left-hander donning Dodger Blue anytime soon.

One person familiar with negotiations told Salisbury that the Phillies know exactly what it will take to get a deal with Hamels done.  The annual salary of the pending contract isn’t what’s up in the air – $20 million or more per year – but instead the sides are unsettled on the length of Hamels’ next deal.  The source told Salisbury that the Phillies are offering Hamels a four-year agreement, but the 28-year-old wants more.

As Salisbury said, this isn’t much of a surprise; Hamels certainly warrants more than a four-year commitment.

Hamels has said that he’s willing to remain in Philadelphia.  The Phillies are certainly interested in retaining Hamels.  Now, all the Phillies have to do is decide if they want to ante up for the former World Series MVP.

As Buster Olney of ESPN put it yesterday, the Hamels negotiation has become crystal clear.  The Phillies can either pay market value for Hamels, or someone else will.

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out That Balls Outta Here.

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