Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $144 million, six-year contract that prevents the 2008 World Series MVP from becoming a free agent after this season.
The deal includes a club vesting option for 2019 and a limited no-trade provision, the team announced Wednesday .
It’s the largest contract signed by a Philadelphia athlete and second-highest for a pitcher behind the $161 million deal the New York Yankees gave CC Sabathia in December 2008.
“It was long and laborious,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said about negotiations, which started last May. “We finally got to the finish line. (Six years) is unprecedented for the Phillies, but we did it with the right person.”
HANLEY RAMIREZ GOES WEST
Former National League batting champion Hanley Ramirez was traded from Miami to the Los Angeles Dodgers with left-handed reliever Randy Choate for right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and minor league pitcher Scott McGough.
Ramirez, 28, was hitting .246 with 14 home runs and 47 RBI, far from his big 2009 season when he hit .342 with 24 homers and 106 RBI.
RIPKEN’S MOM ABDUCTED, NOW SAFE
Cal Ripken Jr.’s mother was found with her hands bound in the back seat of her car Wednesday after she said she was kidnapped at gunpoint a day earlier from her home outside Baltimore and driven around blindfolded by her abductor, police and neighbors said.
Investigators do not know the kidnapper’s motive and there was no ransom demand for Vi Ripken’s release, Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Trabert said at a news conference.
The gunman forced Ripken, 74, into her silver Lincoln Continental between 7-8 a.m. Tuesday, police said. She was found bound and unharmed but shaken about 6:15 a.m. Wednesday near her home in Aberdeen, about 30 miles northeast of Baltimore.
Ripken told a neighbor the gunman didn’t seem to know she was part of the Ripken family.
SHORT HOPS
Hideki Matsui, 38, was designated for assignment by the Rays to make room for newcomer Ryan Roberts. … The Pirates recalled prized prospect Starling Marte from Triple-A Indianapolis to become their regular left fielder. Right-hander Evan Meek was optioned to Indianapolis. … Ten days after signing left-hander Brian Fuentes, 36, to a minor league contract, the Cardinals purchased his contract from Double-A Springfield in time for Wednesday night’s game against the Dodgers. … An MRI exam on Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval confirmed the All-Star third baseman has a left hamstring strain. The team is waiting until Friday to decide whether Sandoval needs to be put on the disabled list. … The semifinals and final of next year’s World Baseball Classic will be played at San Francisco’s AT&T Park. First-round games will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., with the second round at Marlins Park in Miami.
