Cole Hamels Plants His Flag In Philly

Well, well! The Phillies’ went ahead and signed World Series MVP Cole Hamels to a 3-year, $20.5 million deal, immediately making everyone remember that they signed Adam Eaton to a 3-year, $24.5 million deal a few years ago.

The Phils had control of Hamels for the next four seasons anyway, hence the cheaper deal for Hamels than the well-known Adam Eaton disaster. But the Phillies avoid arbitration with Hamels this year and the next two, making this a good sign all around. He’ll be a free agent after the 2012 season, and the Phillies will have to pay big for him then — but his next three years could be incredible, at under $7 million a year.

Things have been good for Hamels recently; he and his wife are about to close on a condo at Liberty Two — I’m already jealous of the view. (And my cousin sent me a note the other day saying she saw Hamels picking up a new drivers’ license from the DMV.)

Hey, Cole, join us at McGlinchey’s sometime! I’ll buy you a drink or two for winning those two postseason MVPs. Hell, maybe even three.

Phillies sign Cole Hamels to 3-year-deal [The 700 Level]
Inqlings: Hamelses moving on up [Inquirer]