MLB Rumors: Philadelphia Phillies Must Lock Up Cole Hamels Long-Term

The Philadelphia Phillies need to make sure they do the right thing and lock up elite left-handed starting pitcher Cole Hamels long-term before he hits the open market this offseason.

With rumors that the Phillies were in talks with the teams involved in the A.J. Burnett deal about acquiring the streaky starter, the focus should be on signing Hamels long-term now more than ever.

With Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee 34 and 33 years old, respectively, 28-year-old Hamels is about to reach the prime of his career. The Phillies have always been known for locking up their homegrown players and Hamels needs to be here for the next five seasons at least.

Cole Hamels told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports about the Phillies' ability to keep players they draft:

"

Ever since I’ve been here, they’ve done a really good job keeping the guys they draft, especially the guys they like. I just hope I’m one of those guys they like.

"

From all the reports coming out, Hamels has said all the right things to the media and seems open to re-signing with the Phillies long-term. With that said, Philadelphia needs to get this done as soon as possible.

As we saw last season with the St. Louis Cardinals when their prized player about to hit free agency, when you don’t get it done in a timely fashion and feelings get hurt, franchise players will walk away.

The Phillies would still be a great team without Hamels, but they are obviously much better with him. Letting a left-handed pitcher of Hamels stature walk is the wrong move for the Phillies and it will certainly come back to bite them later on.

If the team can sign the soon-to-be free agent to a five-year deal worth $110 million like Rosenthal’s report says, the Phillies would get their hometown discount and Hamels can live fat on the farm for the rest of his life.

With Hamels locked up, the Phillies 1-2-3 combination would be a nightmare on opponents for at least four more seasons.

Check back for more on the Major League Baseball as it comes and check out Bleacher Report’s MLB Page to get your fill of all things baseball.

Follow @Donald_Wood