Report: Cole Hamels Still Not Even Close To Contract Extension With Phillies

Cole Hamels is scheduled to pitch the home opener for the Philadelphia Phillies on April 9 at Citizens Bank Park, and he's likely to do so without a long-term contract extension in hand. And according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the two sides are still not even close.

"I haven't been thinking about it at all," Hamels said today. "It's going to linger until something happens. Fortunately ... things will take care of itself."

Negotiations have been ongoing this spring between Hamels' agent, John Boggs, and Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Amaro indicated this week that the Phils could afford to have three $20 million pitchers under contract, and with Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee under contract as two of the three, the window is open for Hamels to claim that third spot.

"It's all in Ruben's hands," Hamels said. "If I just get in good shape and I play, the Phillies will make offers and will counter, I guess, until things look the way they need to look."