Results tagged ‘ Cole Hamels ’
Hamels: No Deadline, Wants to Stay
Cole Hamels just finished up his news conference this afternoon at Bright House Field.
Here are a few highlights:
Q: Are you setting a deadline to reach an extension?
A: No. No, I don’t have any deadline. I think the only deadline that is set is by Major Leauge Baseball with (exclusive negotiating rights) five days after the World Series.
Q: So nothing needs to be settled by Opening Day or anything?
A: No, no, no. I’m just going out and getting ready for this year. that’s my main focus. It’s to get as strong as possible throughout spring training and go into the season and try to help this team win. That’s everything I’ve always been able to focus on, especially since we haven’t been back to the World Series in a couple of years, that’s kind of the main focus that I’m going to put every ounce of energy going toward.
Q: In your heart, do you want to be a Phillie for a long time?
A: I was very fortunate enough to be drafted to an organization that is trying to win and obviously has won. Every day, every year we seem to get some top players. So that kind of shows the value and the direction the team wants to go. I’ve just been very fortunate to be a part of it. And it’s also something where I don’t know any better, I live in Philadelphia. I’ve been here for I guess 10 years now, so that’s been something that’s been kind of nice, kind of something I’ve been focused on. It’s a great organization to play for and I’d love to be a part of it.
Latest Contract Info
People seem to like these, so I’m passing along the latest contract details for the Phillies:
Dave Bush. Minor League contract for $18,000/month. Agreement for Major League contract for $150,000. $800,000 in Majors. Plus: $10,000 for 10 relief appearances; $10,000 for 15 relief appearances; $10,000 for 20 relief appearances; $10,000 for 25 relief appearances; $10,000 for 30 relief appearances; $25,000 for 35 relief appearances; $25,000 for 40 relief appearances; $25,000 for 45 relief appearances; $25,000 for 50 relief appearances; $25,000 for 55 relief appearances; $25,000 for 60 relief appearances; $10,000 for 2 games started; $5,000 for 5 game started; $25,000 for 10 games started; $50,000 for 15 games started; $100,000 for 20 games started; $100,000 for 25 games started; $100,000 for 30 games started. Plus: $25,000 for All Star; $50,000 for World Series MVP; $25,000 for League Championship Series MVP; $50,000 for Rolaids or Cy Young ($25,000-2nd; $15,000-3rd). If not on Major League roster on June 1, player may be traded for 25-man roster spot on another team. If not on Major League roster, player may sign with Korea or Taiwan for $50,000; with Japan for $50,000 if between Dec. 1-Feb. 15; $100,000 if between Feb. 16-March 31; $150,000 after Sept. 1 or will be placed on roster within 72 hours. Major League invitation to Spring Training.
Luis Cruz. Minor League contract for $13,500/month. Agreement for Major League contract for $100,000. $485,000 in Majors. If not on Major League roster on July 15, player will be released if requested. If not on Major League roster, player may sign with Asian team for $50,000 if prior to April 1; $100,000 if after March 31. Major League invitation to Spring Training.
Cole Hamels. $15,000,000. Plus: $100,000 for MVP ($75,000-2nd; $50,000-3rd); $250,000 for Cy Young ($150,000-2nd; $100,000-3rd); $100,000 for World Series MVP; $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP; $50,000 for Gold Glove; $50,000 for Silver Slugger; $50,000 for All Star.
Kyle Kendrick. $3,585,000. Plus: $25,000 for All Star; $50,000 for World Series MVP; $25,000 for League Championship Series MVP; $50,000 for Cy Young or Rolaids ($25,000-2nd; $15,000-3rd).
Laynce Nix. $1,150,000 in 2012; $1,350,000 in 2013. Plus: $50,000 for 400 plate appearances; $50,000 for 450 plate appearances; $50,000 for 500 plate appearances. Plus: $50,000 for All Star ($25,000 selection); $100,000 for MVP; $100,000 for World Series MVP; $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP; $50,000 for Gold Glove.
Pete Orr. $120,000. $600,000 in Majors.
Hunter Pence. $10,400,000. Plus: $100,000 for MVP; $100,000 for World Series MVP; $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP; $50,000 for All Star; $50,000 for Silver Slugger; $50,000 for Gold Glove.
Joel Pineiro. Minor League contract for $20,000/month. Agreement for Major League contract for $1,500,000. Plus: $25,000 for 25 relief appearances $25,000 for 30 relief appearances; $25,000 for 35 relief appearances $25,000 for 40 relief appearances; $25,000 for 45 relief appearances; $25,000 for 50 relief appearances; $50,000 for 55 relief appearances; $50,000 for 60 relief appearances; $250,000 for 10 games started; $250,000 for 15 games started; $350,000 for 20 games started; $350,000 for 25 games started; $500,000 for 28 games started; $500,000 for 30 games started. Plus: $25,000 for All Star; $50,000 for World Series MVP; $25,000 for League Championship Series MVP; $50,000 for Rolaids or Cy Young ($25,000-2nd; $15,000-3rd). Major League invitation to Spring Training.
David Purcey. Minor League contract for $18,000/month. Agreement for Major League contract for $135,000. $507,500 in Majors. If not on 25-man roster on June 12, player will be released if requested or will be added to roster within 72 hours. If not on Major League roster, player may sign with Korea/Taiwan for $25,000 or with Japan for $50,000 if between Dec. 1-Feb. 15; $75,000 if between Feb. 16-March 31; $100,000 if after March 31 or will be added to roster wthin 72 hours. Major League invitation to Spring Training.
Joe Savery. $78,250. $480,000 in Majors.
Hamels’ Next Deal: Think Lee, Not Weaver
The Phillies and Cole Hamels today agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract, which allowed them to avoid salary arbitration.
Next up? The Phillies and Hamels’ agent John Boggs will talk about a multiyear extension.
“We can negotiate with Cole from today through the end of November, and then beyond that to get a multiyear deal done,” Ruben Amaro Jr. said. ”Just because we have a one-year deal in place doesn’t mean we can’t do something long term. As far as Cole beyond 2012, that’s something that’s still very much open for discussion.”
Hamels is line for a major payday, but how large remains to be seen.
But think Cliff Lee more than Jered Weaver.
Weaver signed a five-year, $85 million contract extension last summer with the Angels, but Weaver bypassed free agency partly because he wanted to stay in Southern California and play for his hometown team. Weaver and Hamels have remarkably similar career statistics, so it is easy to think Hamels might be paid in that range: Hamels is 77-54 with a 3.39 ERA in 181 career appearances. He has a 1.141 WHIP and averages 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Weaver is 82-47 with a 3.31 ERA in 171 career appearances. He has a 1.165 WHIP and averages 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
But Boggs said this afternoon the Weaver deal is a “non-starter” in negotiations, which I assume the Phillies already know.
“It would be natural to look at that as a comparison,” he said. “Jered signed for his own personal reasons – and I applaud him for that – but it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to follow the same standard. Everybody is different. For Jered to sign there it doesn’t mean that’s the template we’re going to follow.”
Lee signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Phillies in Dec. 2010. That certainly seems to be a better measuring stick for Hamels, right?
“Absolutely,” Boggs said. “If you’re this close to free agency, you start to make comparables of what you have the potential of making as a free agent.”
Lee signed his deal at 32. Hamels is 28. It stands to reason Hamels will be looking for a contract worth $20 million or more per season.
Reason to be nervous if you’re a Phillies fan? Not yet. There seems to be genuine interest on both sides to reach an agreement. Finalizing Hamels’ 2012 contract could have been the first step.
“The goal was to get that out of the way,” Boggs said. “I’m sure down the road we’ll have a conversation about moving forward. We plan on keeping the discussions open. It’s a process.”
Boggs said he hasn’t talked to Hamels about setting any potential deadline regarding negotiations, which some players have done in the past.
“At the end of the day we really don’t have any concrete game plan as far as how long we are going to plan on discussing this,” Boggs said. “That will be decided at some point shortly, or as we get into the process. But there’s definitely a desire to stay. At the end of the day it really depends on the value we place on Cole, and hopefully it coincides with the value the Phillies place on Cole. That’s the reason you have a negotiation. From a basic desire, yes, he’d be more than happy to stay there. He knows the Phillies. He’s homegrown. That’s what we’ll attempt to do, but sometimes things don’t work out if we can’t agree on the value.”
Hamels, Valdez Agree to Deals, Avoid Arbitration
The Phillies and Cole Hamels avoided salary arbitration today when they agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract, according to a source.
The Phillies also reached an agreement on a $930,000 contract with infielder Wilson Valdez, who was eligible for salary arbitration.
Hunter Pence remains the only Phillies player still eligible for salary arbitration, although an agreement can be reached up until the moment the team and player are supposed to meet with arbiters.
UPDATE. Incentives for Hamels and Valdez:
Hamels: $100,000 for MVP ($75,000 second, $50,000 third), $250,000 Cy Young ($150,000 second, $100,000 third), $100,000 World Series MVP, $50,000 League Championship Series MVP, $50,000 Gold Glove, $50,000 Silver Slugger, $50,000 All-Star.
Valdez: $25,000 Gold Glove, $25,000 Silver Slugger, $25,000 All-Star.
Phillies, Kendrick Avoid Arbitration
The Phillies and Kyle Kendrick have agreed to a one-year, $3.585 million contract.
Kendrick had been eligible for salary arbitration.
Kendrick, 27, went 8-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 34 games (15 starts) last season. He proved to be a valuable piece to the pitching staff, moving back and forth from the bullpen to the rotation because of injuries to Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton. in ERA and games.
The Phillies have three remaining arbitration-eligible players: Cole Hamels, Hunter Pence and Wilson Valdez.
UPDATED. Here are the bonuses in Kendrick’s deal: $25,000 for All-Star, $25,000 for LCS MVP, $50,000 for World Series MVP, $50,000 for Cy Young or Rolaids Relief Man (or $25,000 for second or $15,000 for third).
Phillies Get Good News on Howard
Ruben Amaro Jr. yesterday received encouraging news on some players that had offseason surgeries, most notably, Ryan Howard.
Howard had surgery in October to repair a ruptured left Achilles. Foot and ankle specialist Mark Myerson examined Howard yesterday and cleared him to begin some strength and power exercises. Howard also will start jogging underwater, and is likely to begin baseball activities in six weeks. (He will start by fielding ground balls before progressing to hitting.)
That timetable places Howard’s baseball activities around the middle of February, which is the beginning of Spring Training.
Is there any chance Howard could be ready by Opening Day?
“I can’t even speculate,” Amaro told MLB.com. “All I know is that it’s nice to know that at some point in Spring Training that he’ll start doing some light baseball activities. I think it is good news.”
Phillies physician Michael Ciccotti examined right-hander Jose Contreras yesterday, and cleared him to begin a throwing program today. Contreras had surgery late last year to repair his right elbow.
“I don’t have any timetable on him,” Amaro said. “We’ll probably know more within the next month.”
But even with some uncertainty surrounding Contreras, Amaro said he is not looking to find another bullpen arm.
“If there’s somebody that falls in our lap, yeah,” Amaro said. “But it’s a good enough report (for Contreras) that we think he’s going to be ready. If not at Opening Day then hopefully close to it.”
Placido Polanco (sports hernia surgery) told Amaro recently he feels great and believes he will be ready to go 100 percent by Spring Training. Hunter Pence (sports hernia surgery) also is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Cole Hamels (surgery to remove loose bodies in left elbow) is throwing and feels fine.
“A very, very positive update as far as our walking wounded are concerned,” Amaro said.
Halladay, Lee, Hamels Shine in Cy Young Voting
Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels finished in the top five in NL Cy Young voting.
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The Phillies are bringing back Brian Schneider for another season as their backup catcher. They announced this afternoon they had signed him to a one-year, $800,000 contract. The contract has $200,000 worth of incentives.
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The Phillies have hired former closer Tom Gordon as a part-time scout in Florida. … Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin is no longer a candidate for the managerial jobs with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. The Cubs hired Dale Sveum, while the Red Sox are looking elsewhere. … Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg did not get the St. Louis Cardinals’ managerial vacancy, which means he will be back with the organization next season. … Friday is the deadline for the Phillies to protect Minor League players by placing them on the 40-man roster. … The Phillies have hired Minor League conditioning coordinator Shawn Fcasni as their assistant athletic trainer. He replaces Mark Andersen, who resigned after the season.
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New Deal? Hamels Isn’t Worried
Had a chance to talk to Cole Hamels for a few minutes last night at the Four Seasons in Center City, where Charlie Manuel was named Magee Rehabilitation Hospital’s 2011 Humanitarian of the Year.
(Aside: Following Jonathan Papelbon‘s news conference on Monday at Citizens Bank Park, I kidded Manuel about being named Humanitarian of the Year. I said, “Charlie, you’re always getting honored by somebody.” He said, “Hey, man, I used to get roasted. They used to put salt and pepper on me and roast me.”
Everybody is wondering what’s going to happen with Hamels, and understandably so. He made $9.5 million in 2011, and is eligible for salary arbitration one final time before becoming a free agent following the 2012 season. There is mutual interest in signing Hamels to a multiyear extension, but nothing has happened so far. That shouldn’t be particularly alarming. Not yet.
“My whole philosophy is: I don’t fear trying to sign something quickly because of the fear of failure or getting injured,” Hamels said. “I’ve had a serious injury. I broke my arm in high school and they said I would never throw again. I overcame that, so I think I can overcome anything. I’ll never have regrets or what ifs. I just know if I can play and do a really good job it’ll take care of itself.”
Signing Hamels could be tricky.
Angels ace Jered Weaver signed a five-year, $85 million contract extension during the season. His career numbers are very similar to Hamels’. But the longer Hamels goes without an extension and the better he pitches in 2012 his price goes up. Hamels could be (should be?) looking for $100 million or more. The New York Mets signed Johan Santana to a six-year, $137.5 million contract in Feb. 2008, nine months before he would have become a free agent. The nine-month mark for Hamels is Feb. 2012. But the notable difference is Santana was a two-time Cy Young winner at the time. But while Hamels doesn’t have a couple Cy Youngs, he does have a World Series MVP trophy and is considered one of the best pitchers (not just left-handers) in baseball.
So the question becomes how far are the Phillies willing to go?
They already have committed $89.5 million to Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Chase Utley and Jonathan Papelbon in 2013. That doesn’t include a raise to Hunter Pence, who will be eligible for salary arbitration, or other multiyear deals the Phillies sign this offseason (Jimmy Rollins? Michael Cuddyer? Both?).
The Phillies will have to decide how many mega multiyear contracts they can handle.
A big thing in Hamels’ favor is he will be just 28 next season. Halladay turns 35 in May. Lee turns 34 in August. The Phillies would like to have Hamels a piece of their rotation for the foreseeable future because Halladay and Lee won’t be around forever. Although with two (possibly three) more seasons with Halladay and four (possibly five) more seasons with Lee, Phillies fans hope it’s not for a long time.
The Phillies are focused on Rollins and other 2012 roster decisions at the moment. In the past, the Phillies have waited until January to sign their own players to extensions (i.e. Shane Victorino, Ryan Madson and Joe Blanton). The same could happen here, but Hamels sees how the top pitchers in baseball are paid. He just needs to look around his own clubhouse.
“You get into money like this, which you never possibly imagined … I think as long as you’re compensated in the category that you’re playing, then can’t ever have any sort of hard feelings or any regrets,” he said.
I also spoke with Hamels about his recovery from offseason surgeries. Read the story here.
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Hamels Has Two Surgeries
The Phillies announced that Cole Hamels had two successful surgeries Friday.
He had a hernia repaired and loose bodies removed from his left elbow.
The Phillies said Hamels should begin a throwing program in three to four weeks. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said earlier this week that Hamels will be ready for the beginning of Spring Training. Hamels went 14-9 with a 2.79 ERA in 32 appearances this season.
Injury Updates on Howard, Pence, Polanco, Hamels
This is from a Phillies press release:
The Phillies have announced the following injury updates:
- First baseman Ryan Howard’s MRI revealed a rupture of the left Achilles tendon. He cannot have surgery until the swelling resolves and it has not been determined who will perform the surgery. Recovery time won’t be known until after the surgery is complete and there is no guarantee he will be ready for spring training.
- First baseman Ross Gload will have his right hip re-examined by Dr. Bryan Kelly. Gload will likely have arthroscopic hip surgery.
- Right fielder Hunter Pence and second baseman Placido Polanco will both have MRIs to evaluate the extent of their sports hernias. Polanco will likely have surgery and Pence’s plan will be determined following the MRI.
- Left-hander Cole Hamels will have loose bodies removed from his left elbow on October 14. He also has an inguinal hernia and surgery for that is scheduled for a week later.
Todd Zolecki
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