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Cole Hamels
Photo: Icon SMI
Via BBTF, the Phillies buy out Cole Hamels arbitration years:
Hamels will receive $4.35 million in 2009, $6.65 million in 2010 and $9.5 million in 2011. Though a long-term contract, this deal buys out none of Hamels' free-agent seasons. But it does allow the Phillies to avoid salary arbitration with their ace at a time when they are still facing cases with Ryan Madson, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and - most notably - Ryan Howard, who could earn $15 million or more in the process.
Hamels, 25, went 14-10 for the World Series winners last year, and then excelled in the playoffs by going 4-0 in five starts with a 1.80 ERA. He was the MVP of both the NLCS and World Series.
Wow. Hamels gave up a lot; I would expect he'd make at least $8 million in arbitration this year. I guess it's worth it to be able to become a free agent at a young age.
