It's clear that the Philadelphia Phillies don't want to trade Cole Hamels. In fact, they're doing everything they can to keep Hamels.
According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Phillies are set to offer Hamels a six-year contract extension worth $130 million dollars.
The Phillies are sending signals that they are planning to make an initial offer to star lefthanded pitcher Cole Hamels for about $130 million over six years within the next few days, sources familiar with the team's thinking told CBSSports.com.
The Phillies are believed to have had some conversations in recent days with Hamels, and while no official offer has been made yet, sources say the team is interested in doing a deal in the range of Matt Cain's six-year arrangement with the Giants.
As Heyman notes, Cain's extension was worth $112.5 million dollars over five years, so this rumored offer to Hamels would trump Cain's contract.
Of course, there's no guarantee that Hamels takes the offer, even if it is true. Hamels has appeared to be pretty giddy about testing the free agent market, and if the Phillies would offer this to him now, it's likely that they'd be willing to offer it later this winter, too.
This also serves as a marker for the Rangers and any other potential teams interested in Hamels, as the bar is now set for the type of contract it would take to retain Hamels beyond the 2012 season.