Phillies Extend Pitcher Cole Hamels' Contract - East Idaho News
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Phillies Extend Pitcher Cole Hamels’ Contract

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Getty 72512 HAMELS?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1343243358465Daniel Shirey/Getty Images(PHILADELPHIA) — Rest easy Phillies fans, Cole Hamels isn’t going anywhere. The team has announced that they have signed the lefty to a six-year contract worth $144 million, which will keep him from hitting free agency at the end of the season.

Hamels had been the subject of numerous trade rumors as Major League Baseball’s trade deadline approaches, but the two sides were able to get a deal done to keep Hamels with the organization that launched his pro career. Hamels’ deal is the largest contract in Phillies history, and the second biggest contract given to a starting pitcher in Major League history.

The 28-year-old Hamels is in his seventh Major League season after the Phillies drafted him 17th overall back in 2002. A three-time All-Star, Hamels is one of the premiere left handed starting pitchers in all of baseball. In 200 games pitched for the Phillies, Hamels is 85-58 with a 3.38 ERA.

Aside from his regular season success, Hamels is also a proven playoff pitcher. In 13 postseason starts, Hamels is 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA. His defining moment during his career was back in 2008 when was named World Series MVP after going 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA en route to the Phillies first World Series title since 1980.

Hamels is now the third pitcher on his own team to earn over $20 million in a season joining Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.

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