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Phillies Sign Cole Hamels to Six-Year, $144 Million Deal
By Kyle Scott
Published:
He stays!
The Phillies have signed Cole Hamels to a six-year, $144 million deal, according to reports. Buster Olney was the first to Tweet the news, at 6:18 a.m.
Hamels’ average annual salary will be $24 million a year– the second highest in baseball for a pitcher and same as Cliff Lee. Matt Gelb points out that it is also the second largest contract ever for a pitcher and the richest in Philadelphia sports history. And Jayson Stark put it best: There had never been a team with two $20 million per year starters until the 2012 Phillies. Now they have three.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman writes that the Phillies offered $80 million to Hamels last year. He said no… and earned himself another $64 million.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale says there is a vesting option for a seventh year that could make the total package worth more than $160 million, meaning the Cole Hamels Millions Meter, whose last estimate came in at $155 million, was oh-so-close.
Kyle Scott is the founder and editor of CrossingBroad.com. He has written for CBS Philly and Philly Voice, and been a panelist or contributor on NBC Sports Philly, FOX 29 and SNY TV, as well as a recurring guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, 94 WIP, 106.7 The Fan and other stations. He has more than 10 years experience running digital media properties and in online advertising and marketing.