PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels can afford the finest mantel for his World Series MVP award.
The 25-year-old left-hander has agreed to a three-year, $20.5 million contract with the Phillies, three people familiar with the negotiations said Saturday.
Hamels and the Phillies avoid an arbitration hearing with the deal. The people spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because an official announcement hasn’t been made. A news conference is planned for today.
Hamels established himself as a true ace in the postseason, going 4-0 with an 1.80 ERA as the Phillies claimed their first championship since 1980.
He won the first game in three playoff series and also captured the MVP award in the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.
Hamels went 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA during the regular season and was eligible for arbitration for the first time.
Hamels, who had been injury-prone early in his career, showed his durability by making 33 starts and pitching a career-high 227 1/3 innings. He finished with 196 strikeouts and 53 walks.
Hamels was a first-round pick in 2002. He made his major-league debut in 2006 and led the team with 15 wins in his first full season in 2007.
Cubs continue to explore options
CHICAGO — Cubs chairman Crane Kenney said again he expects the team’s sale to be completed by opening day and the list of potential buyers could be down to one by the end of the month.
He also left the door slightly open for Tribune Co. to hang on to the team at least a little longer. The company put the Cubs on the market on opening day 2007, when it accepted a buyout from real estate mogul Sam Zell. Since then, Tribune has slowly whittled the list of potential buyers from 10 to three in a sale that could net $1 billion for the team and historic Wrigley Field.
Former D-backs coach dies
PHOENIX — Tommy Jones, first-base coach for the Diamondbacks for parts of the 2004 season and the team’s player development director from 1998-2004, has died. He was 54.
Jones died of brain cancer Thursday at his Phoenix home.
