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Avoiding arbitration, the Phillies and left-handed hurler Cole Hamels have agreed on a one-year contract worth $15 million, as reported by multiple sources on Tuesday. The deal sets a record as the highest salary paid to an arbitration-eligible pitcher prior to him reaching free agency. The previous record was the $12.4 million that the Chicago Cubs paid Carlos Zambrano in 2007. Incentive bonuses in Hamels’ new deal include $100,000 for being named National League Most Valuable Player, $250,000 for the NL Cy Young Award, $100,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 for each of the following- League Championship Series MVP, Gold Glove Award, Silver Slugger Award, and an All-Star selection. Hamels is a two-time All-Star and was named MVP of the 2008 World Series when he led the Phillies to their second ever championship. In his career, the 28-year-old Hamels has posted a 74-54 record with a 3.39 ERA and a .237 batting average against in 181 games. In 2011, the California native sported care...

Regularly throughout the off-season, we'll take a look at Phillies players who are participating in various winter leagues around the world. As you might suspect, the time has come once again to provide updates on the prospects and big leaguers staying active in foreign professional leagues. - Wilson Valdez , playing with the Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican League, has posted a weak .213/.255/.301 line in 35 games. In addition, Valdez has slugged 2 homers, driven in 18 runs and stolen 6 bases. The 33-year-old infielder batted .249 in 99 games with the big league Phillies in 2011. -Phillies utility man Michael Martinez has not seen action since December 9th with the Estrellas del Oriente in the Dominican League. Through 19 games, Martinez posted a .113 batting average with just 1 extra base hit, a double. The 29-year-old has been playing shortstop for the Estrellas. Martinez batted .196 in 88 games with the Phillies in his first MLB season in 2011. -Lefty reliever Juan Pe...

It was a remarkable game to say the least. It was clearly a contest that players, fans and media alike will be talking about with fondness for years to come... "Remember how Rollins kept making all those great plays on defense?" "Remember how terrific Baez was in out of the 'pen?" "Oh man...and how about Valdez PITCHING?!" The list of facts and stats pertaining to this game goes on and on... Wilson Valdez (who notched 3 hits and a walk) is the first MLB position player to win a game since Brent Mayne did it in 2000 for the Rockies. Also, Valdez is the first MLB player to start the game at a position other than pitcher and earn the win since Babe Ruth did it in 1921. It was the longest game in the history of Citizens Bank Park. It was the Phils' longest game since they played 20 innings in 1993. Charlie Manuel was previously on record saying that he would not use a position player to pitch. Phillies relievers threw 12 innings. Starting catcher Carlo...

Already locked into a guaranteed playoff spot, the Phillies (93-63) stand just one win, or one Braves loss, away from clinching a team record 4th straight division title. Some have pointed out that it would be fitting to do it in game 1 of this week's series in Washington, as it would be the exact way the Phillies began the 2010 campaign, with Roy Halladay on the mound against the Nationals (67-89). Washington will counter with lefty John Lannan, who has a 7.27 ERA in 2 home starts this season against Philadelphia. Jimmy Rollins is expected to start at short stop for the Phillies for the first time since September 8th. Rollins has been sidelined in recent weeks with a hamstring issue. Rollins returned to action on Sunday, going 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter and playing the field. The Phillies have won 10 of the 15 meetings with Washington to date this season. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and tons more information. Monday, 7:05pm. Roy Haladay (20-10, 2.53 ERA) vs. J...

The first place Atlanta Braves (48-34) come to town, to face the third place Phillies (42-38) for a 3-game series. Atlanta currently leads Philadelphia by 5 games in the National League East standings. With a steady stream of injuries this year, the Phillies haven't been able to maintain their head lock on the top spot in the division. The team is aware that this head-to-head meeting with the division leader is their chance to bounce back. The Phillies will try to take a chunk out of that deficit in the standings by sending their ace, all-star Roy Halladay to the mound in game one. The Braves will counter with Derek Lowe, who is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts against the Phillies in 3 outings this year. Read ahead for details in the pitching match ups and loads more information, as the division rivals meet in this crucial series. Monday, 7:05pm. Derek Lowe (9-6, 4.53 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (9-7, 2.42 ERA). Lowe has a 4.75 ERA and a 1-2 record over his last 5 starts. In his ca...

As was expected, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is headed to the disabled list with a calf injury. Rollins felt pain during warm ups prior to the Phillies' home opener on Monday and was quickly removed from the starting line up. The calf tear occurred just moments after the dramatic entry of the team from the street behind the ballpark, through Ashburn Alley and a crowd of people forming an aisle from the outfield wall toward the infield, and following the introduction of the roster & starting lineup, before the sell out crowd. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel appeared on Sirius XM MLB Radio today and confirmed Rollins' status and stated that no precise time frame was known for his return. Infielder Wilson Valdez will be called up to take J-Roll's place on the roster. Valdez is 10-for-22 (.455 avg) with 5 RBI in 5 games thus far for triple A level Lehigh Valley. General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr., speaking to the media today, stated the team expects a 2-4 week recovery fo...