Cole Hamels knew the moment he walked off the mound to a standing ovation after allowing five runs in his last start that he was staying with the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Words can't really describe the emotions that you get, and the way the fans were standing and cheering, that was ultimately the deciding point to be here,” Hamels said.
He had $144 million other reasons to stay, too.
Hamels on Wednesday signed a six-year contract worth an average of $24 million per season that prevents the 2008 World Series MVP from becoming a free agent in November. The deal includes a club vesting option for 2019 and a limited no-trade provision.
The contract is the largest signed by a Philadelphia athlete and second-highest for a pitcher behind the seven-year, $161 million deal the New York Yankees gave CC Sabathia in December 2008.
“It was long and laborious,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said of negotiations, which started last May. “We finally got to the finish line. (Six years) is unprecedented for the Phillies, but we did it with the right person.”
Hamels, 28, becomes the third Phillies starter making $20 million per season, joining Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.
Hamilton: No problem with Ryan's comments
Josh Hamilton understands why Nolan Ryan believes the struggling Texas Rangers slugger sometimes appears to be giving away at-bats.
“I love and respect Nolan to death. He's a competitor. He's still a competitor and was a big-time competitor,” Hamilton said. “I believe he cares so much for us as players, almost like a grandfather would, that when he sees us not performing or doing the things we need to do, it frustrates him. I understand why it frustrates him.”
During his segment Monday on ESPN Dallas, Ryan said some of Hamilton's recent at-bats haven't been impressive because he doesn't work deep into counts and is swinging at a lot of bad pitches, noting that Hamilton has “at-bats that he just gives away.”
Yankees turn to Chavez with A-Rod sidelined
With Alex Rodriguez headed to the disabled list and possibly out into September, Eric Chavez will get his chance to prove to the New York Yankees that his injury problems are in the past.
Rodriguez was being fitted for a splint by Seattle's team doctors Wednesday ahead of his return to New York and examination by Yankees team doctors, likely Thursday. Rodriguez suffered a non-displaced fracture of his left hand when he was hit by an 88 mph changeup from Felix Hernandez on Tuesday.
For now, the Yankees intend to use a combination of Chavez and Jayson Nix at third.
Blue Jays lose Arencibia
Toronto Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia broke his right hand on a foul tip and is expected to miss six weeks.
Arencibia was hit during Oakland's second inning Wednesday. He finished the inning, but Jeff Mathis pinch-hit for him to start the bottom half.
Arencibia is hitting .242 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI.
Around the majors
Angels slugger Albert Pujols was not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Royals after getting hit on the right elbow by a pitch he swung at the previous night. ... The Rays cut Hideki Matsui to make room for newcomer Ryan Roberts, who was acquired from Arizona on Tuesday. ... Ten days after signing lefty Brian Fuentes to a minor league contract, the Cardinals plugged him into the major league bullpen. ... An MRI exam on Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval confirmed the All-Star third baseman has a left hamstring strain. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said the team will wait until Friday to decide whether he needs to be put on the disabled list. ... The semifinals and final of next year's World Baseball Classic will be played at San Francisco's AT&T Park.
