Cole Hamels is now the second highest pitcher in Major League Baseball, second to CC Sabathia. The Phillies offered him a six year deal that is worth 144 million dollars. It also has a limited no trade super vision. This means that Hamels will not be a free agent at the end of the season.
Many thought that Hamels was not going to be a Phillie after the trade deadline July 31st. They thought that the Phillies would not offer Hamels the deal that he wanted. However Hamels said that he wanted to stay because of the fans. He also wanted to stay because of Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.
He may want to stay and pitch with them but with the money he is being paid one of them may not be able to stay. It has been rumored that Cliff Lee may be traded. That means instead of having three aces the Phillies will only have two. Also, Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence are options to be traded before the deadline. They are two of your strong outfielders, who will take their place?
The Phillies front office may not be thinking about making the playoffs this season and want to build on their prospects. However wouldn’t they want some experience and some offense? Cole Hamels doesn’t always have the right or sharpest stuff. Hopefully the Phillies don’t give up too much to keep him.
