Comments on: Breaking News: Phillies Sign Cole Hamels For 3 Years

By: Chuck P

Chuck P — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:37:05 +0000

Very good deal… we buy out his 3 of his 4 remaining arbitration years, likely getting a discount. If he performs, we can always rework the deal in two years and add a few years but it sends a message that we’re committed to this team (happy players willing to go the extra mile). If he gets injured, we’re probably overpaying him in years 2-3 but the reality is that we wouldn’t be offloading a player of his caliber anyway… I mean, he would still be on our roster making reasonable money even if he was battling through injuries. I still think that our number one priority is Vic… he’s our CF for the next 3-5 years. On the contrary, I don’t think that Werth will cost as much as Vic. Vic plays a premier defensive position. I am also willing to let Werth walk because of what we have in waiting (Taylor, Brown, Mayberry).

By: KM

KM — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:41:52 +0000

Great deal! Way below market value.

By: Manny

Manny — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:34:04 +0000

But Werth is very close to free agency… HE should be the priority now.

By: Mike B.

Mike B. — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:14:25 +0000

I’d put locking up Vic over Werth. We haven’t seen Werth start a full season yet. Let this year happen, THEN lock him up.

By: Phillies Phan SC

Phillies Phan SC — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:06:56 +0000

If Cole stays healthy, and continues on this path, he will make up the money later. This is an absolute great day and an awesome signing. Makes up for anything else. NOW they need to lock down Vic and yes, Werth (I still say we cannot go wrong with Jayson).

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:08:31 +0000

This is a great deal. It cements Coles relationship to the Phils. From his comments, it sounds like he wants to stay in Philly for his entire career. This deal creates a lot of goodwill, which was needed after the Cole was upset last year when the Phils paid him $500K when he was hoping for $700K. Contract negotiations are the most contentious times with any employer, so to be able to avoid it for 3 years with Cole is fantastic. And the Phils still will have a year of arbitration eligibility after the contract expires. Both sides get what they wanted out of the deal…Reagrding the other arb-cases, management usually works out contracts with everybody. Before Rhyno (the “h” is NOT a typo, as in the big fella is akin to a rhinoceros –a compliment, by the way) last year, the Phils last went to the arbitrator with Travis Lee in 2001. Now that Rhyno inflicted the first arb defeat on the Phils, he’ll probably be there every year, until he goes elsewhere in FA, and we’ll see Mad Dog there also this year. Other than these two, nobody else should make it to the arbitrator.

By: Joe O'Phillie

Joe O'Phillie — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 05:07:54 +0000

“It’s the largest deal for a pitcher in his first deal of arbitration.” nuff said.

I’d imagine it has some decent bonuses, including for NLCS and WS MVP in there that will get him paid much more. He and Utley are the most important pieces of the team.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 04:51:47 +0000

Wasnt it just last year Cole was uspet how didnt get the big bucks? He must of learned something from it, because, if this went to arbitration, I think Cole would of got so much more for 09.

By: mark camire

mark camire — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 04:20:12 +0000

No one is saying howard wont be back next year, he has what two more years of arb left right. and in two years who knows what may be out there. can 40 hr 140 rbi and 200 strike outs and 250 avg and average defensive fisrt baseman be replaced, I think so, Saying that howard has turned down a few long term offers, but it is better to spread the money around if he wants Manny money no one is worth that. Cole’s deal is a great deal, if not simply for good faith. In two years he keeps up the great pitching they can go longer and more money, and you will know better what you need in that situation. It helps not to have to worry about arb for three years also, great deal,

By: Brooks

Brooks — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:58:47 +0000

Good for Hamels, great for the Phils!
Think about it, what did Carlos Silva do before he signed?
What did Adam Eaton accomplish before he signed? More that Cole Hamels? Did or has (more past tense) either of these 2 pitchers ever shown the promise of what Cole has displayed?
On to another matter though, is there a possibility that the Phils can win this division without Ryan Howard? I see a few references to NOT giving Ryan a long term deal.
No way, the big man has to sign. He may not be the spark plug of the offense but he is the anchor.
The Phils do not repeat without Ryan Howard.

By: Mazinman

Mazinman — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:43:31 +0000

This maybe the best news of the offseason. Not only do we have our ace secure for 3 more years but he and the front office have shown a willingness to work a fair deal for all. Hopefully this will be a sign of good things when his next extension needs to be I’m liking how Arbitration is turning out. Hopefully we’ll get news of Victorino signing for a couple years soon too. Thank you to the front office and to Cole for this bit of great news!

By: Manny

Manny — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:38:51 +0000

Perfect Deal.

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Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:04:41 +0000

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By: IRONPIGPEN

IRONPIGPEN — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:27:38 +0000

Excellent.

By: R.Mac

R.Mac — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:26:50 +0000

Phinally.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:20:58 +0000

All I can say is YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOoooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooo!!!! And that’s not a plug for the defunct search engine. This is just great.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:17:41 +0000

ray, Hamels would have gotten more in arbitration, I’m sure. This year he may have only gotten 4 or 5 million, but if he has another season like last year, next year he would have been closer to 8 or 10. Then maybe 12 the year after. I think that over the next three years, he would have gotten something more than the 20 he signed for.

I’m with Tim, though. I think it’s unlikely that Howard gets a long term deal. No way the Phils give him 20 million a year unless he can cut down on his strikeouts and improve his average. They’ll likely trade him in his last arbitration year and get younger. By then we may have a better defensive option at 1st, or they may convert one of the now lower level prospects to 1st…who knows.

By: ray

ray — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:08:04 +0000

Why does everyone think this is a steal? Its basically about the same money he would have gotten through arbitration. He had no leverage here and did not give up his FA years. I’m not against the move but don’t think it is any different than had he gone to arb every year except now the money is guarunteed.

And why are people telling howard and madson to take note? They are completely different situations. They would be giving up their free agent years where they can make much more money where as Cole is only giving up 3 of his 4 arbitration years where the team has all the leverage.

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:22:00 +0000

I haven’t read the comments yet, but I think this is a great deal. When the contract ends he’ll still have one more year under Phillies control. If he stays healthy and pitches the way we expect him to then in 2012 you give him the big contract. We’re getting a steal on his 1st 3 arb years.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:21:01 +0000

This is the best move Amaro has done yet. It shows good faith too and I really think with all of that money freed up with Howard and Ibanez gone by then that will allow them to sign Hamels to an extension of 3 or so years fairly easily.