Hamels gets a three yr deal

[phillyfiend]

Does not surprise me one bit that the phils did not offer more than three years. they never do when it comes to pitchers!
come one! i think you need to lock this guy up longer. thoughts.

philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090117&content_id=3748451&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

[Dr Dan Stantz]

Obviously, getting him under contract is great.

Are you sure they didn't offer more? Could be that Hamels realizes that he can continue to get even better, and get a bigger deal in a few years, just like Carter did with the Flyers.

[el_duderino]

Phillies do have a history of maxing out at 3 years on their contract extensions/renegotiations. And for starting pitchers, I can understand - the strain on their arms makes it harder to figure out how they will be pitching in even just a few years. And this really just kept them from going to arbitration for the next three years - he's arbitration eligible for the 4th year.

This is actually a good deal, all things considered. We get him at what is probably a cheaper price and keep the whole "good will" thing up, instead of going through arbitration.