Players seem to be getting disgruntled earlier and earlier these days. The Phillies renewed Cole Hamels’ contract at $500K, and he called it a "low blow." Seems that the perceived slight will stick in Hamels’ craw and make future dealings more difficult. Jim Salisbury does not agree that Hamels has been disrespected.
Hamels has one more year of slumming it under a million bucks before he’ll shoot up to at least the $4-5MM range. While Hamels isn’t entitled to more than the $500K he received, some might say the Phils are being penny-wise and pound-foolish. But would giving Hamels a few extra hundred thousand now really have an effect on future negotiations?
