[Phils20]

Jan. 17 -- HAMELS TO SIGN 3-YEAR, $20.5 MILLION DEAL | 1:29 PM

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Woke up this morning and took a drive down to the Wilmington train station to see Barack Obama, and upon my return, I saw this report from the New York Post: Cole Hamels is on the verge of signing a three-year, $20.5 million contract with the Phillies that would buy away three of his arbitration years.

So, naturally, I phoned Ruben Amaro Jr., who said he can "neither confirm nor deny" the report. But we've talked to one baseball source, who desired anonymity because the deal isn't signed, who said that a contract is imminent and could be announced before the end of the weekend.

What does this mean?

Well, mostly, it's about cost control for the Phillies. Hamels can't become a free agent until the 2012 season anyway, but by avoiding the arbitration process with him for three seasons, the Phillies lock him up at a fairly reasonable rate and prevent his salary from escalating too severely while they struggle to figure out how the heck they're going to sign Ryan Howard. According to the report, Hamels will make $4.35 million in 2009, $6.65 million in 2010 and $9.5 million in 2011. For the past few weeks, we had heard rumors that Hamels would ask for at least $5 million in arbitration this year. So, clearly, Hamels will still be relatively inexpensive for the next three years.

More as we get it.

(Updated, 2:30 p.m.): Just spoke with another source. Hamels will take a physical today, and a press conference likely will be held tomorrow, presumably before the Eagles game. If you're counting, that leaves six more arbitration-eligible players (Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson, Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Chad Durbin).

[njpsufan]

Was reading an article abt Howard. It mentioned how his salary demands are driven by his father and that the Phils will never get him for a long term deal unless it is something earth shattering. His father believes he is a "special player" who demands a special salary. Think the Phils need to prepare for trading him... possibly by end of this next season.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by njpsufan

Was reading an article abt Howard. It mentioned how his salary demands are driven by his father and that the Phils will never get him for a long term deal unless it is something earth shattering. His father believes he is a "special player" who demands a special salary. Think the Phils need to prepare for trading him... possibly by end of this next season.

I think they just need to pay him. It isn't going to get any easier, and he still has to go though arbitration if we don't sign him. We know from last year that he will get big money that way, and we also know that we won't get anything of value in a trade for him.

Let's just five him 20 mil a year, and be done with it. It can be a 3-4 year deal, and that will bet him out of the arbitration years.