Major League Baseball

Phillies gain traction with Hamels

Published Jul. 19, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

The Philadelphia Phillies’ quest to re-sign left-hander Cole Hamels appears to be gaining traction.

The club is now offering Hamels six years guaranteed, leaving only the dollar amount to be negotiated, major-league sources say.

The money in a six-year extension for Hamels almost certainly would exceed the $127.5 million that the Giants recently gave right-hander Matt Cain.

Whether Hamels could exceed the $137.5 million that the Mets awarded left-hander Johan Santana on Feb. 2, 2008, remains to be seen.

Hamels, 28, still could opt to reject the Phillies’ best offer and test the free-agent market this offseason. But he has said he is comfortable with both the city and team.

The Phillies could trade Hamels if they do not sign him before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, or attempt to continue negotiating with him the rest of the season.

Hamels, 11-4 with a 3.07 ERA, is next scheduled to pitch Saturday afternoon against the San Francisco Giants in a game that will be televised on FOX.

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