Cole Hamels contract was renewed yesterday by the Phillies, after they failed to hammer out a deal with his agent John Boggs.  Much like Prince Fielder in Milwaukee, Hamels wasn’t happy that a player of his caliber, is making so little money. 

Where does Cole take his gripe?  Where else, the media:

“It was a low blow… That will affect down the line certain things that come up,” he said. “You can’t just all of a sudden throw everything out at [a player] at the last second and think that’s really going to make him happy, because you still have check-marks for what [the team] didn’t do in the years before.”

Cole, this is the way baseball economics work.  Don’t worry, it won’t be long until you’re demanding a Johan Santana-type contract, but you have to pay your dues.  Don’t complain to the media either.  You know they’ll just blow it out of proportion.  You’re better then that.

In all seriousness, Cole really has no reason to be upset.  His 2008 salary is more then Chien-Ming Wang, Scott Kazmir (both in 2007), and Erik Bedard made in their final season before being arbitration eligible. 

I know some fans are upset that ownership is “cheap”, and their turning their back on their ace, but let’s get a couple things straight:

1 – This decision came from Pat Gillick, not ownership, so call Pat the cheap one.

2 – If you honestly think that if and when Cole Hamels reaches the free agent market (2012 would be the earliest), him looking back on 2008, and the fact the Phillies didn’t pony up and extra 250K isn’t going to sway his loyalty.  If he hits the market, and the Phillies are willing to pay, he’ll stay.