Rich new deal for Hamels in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, July 25 (UPI) -- Pitcher Cole Hamels had signed a six-year, $144 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Phillies, it was announced Wednesday.

The agreement is the second-largest contract for a major league pitcher. CC Sabathia signed with the New York Yankees for $161 million in a seven-year deal reached in 2008.

The deal with the Phillies links Hamels, a left-handed starter, to the team through the 2018 season and includes a club option for 2019 with a limited no-trade clause.

Hamels is in his seventh season -- all with Philadelphia -- in the major leagues. He is 11-4 with a 3.23 earned run average this season and 85-58 with a 3.38 ERA over his career. He has been selected to the National League All-Star team three times, including 2011 and 2012.

Hamels, 28, was the most valuable player in both the National League Championship Series and World Series in 2008.

He could have become a free agent at the end of this season.

Hamels joins fellow Phillies pitchers Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee with long-term contracts.

"Our goal remains the same, to try to put pieces around these core players to remain a championship-caliber club," said Philadelphia General Manager Ruben Amaro.