FanHouse

Like a septugenarian with a cell phone, the Phillies refuse to be dragged into the latest trends. They haven't offered Cole Hamels a long-term deal, a la Ryan Braun or Fausto Carmona, even though the lefthander is already the ace of their rotation.

Pat Gillick said the door isn't closed to such discussions but it isn't open right now, either. The downside, injury or decline in performance, is too great for Gillick to contemplate locking Hamels up.

"I mean, what is a great deal? At the time, it might be a great deal. Especially if a pitcher comes up with a bad arm, they aren't in a great deal. If a guy doesn't perform, it isn't a great deal."

And if my grandmother had testicles...

There's always going to be risk when you sign a player long-term but I don't see why the Phillies wouldn't be, at the very least, exploring a deal. It doesn't have to be the eight years that Braun got but a deal that buys out his arbitration years and perhaps a year of free agency would mean a five-year commitment. They know as well as anyone how hard it is to find good pitching.

If Hamels passes it up because he wants to gamble on making more money, so be it. You're in the same position you are today but have at least shown a willingness to keep your best players in house for as long as possible.