HBT: Hamels, Phillies agree on $15 million deal

Cole Hamels is entering his final season of arbitration eligibility and the 28-year-old left-hander will avoid a hearing by agreeing to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Phillies.

Hamels earned $9.5 million last season as part of a three-year, $20.5 million deal that bought out his early arbitration eligibility and would have been in line for a big raise after going throwing 216 innings with a 2.79 ERA and 194/44 K/BB ratio.

Last month at the winter meetings general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told our own Craig Calcaterra that the Phillies want to keep Hamels in Philadelphia long term, but with a $100 million contract likely just 30 healthy starts away it?ll be tough to stop him from hitting the open market next winter as a rare 28-year-old free agent ace.

Source: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/17/phillies-and-cole-hamels-avoid-arbitration-with-15-million-deal/related/

vanessa marcil saints vs 49ers 49 ers frank gore frank gore drew brees drew brees