Cole Hamels News

Times are tough in America. Our brave men and women in the military are fighting in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The most pressing financial issue the Phillies face is whether a lucrative contract for Cole Hamels can fit into the team's ever-expanding budget.

A team-by-team look at the National League entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: Going campin': Five straight NL East titles have set the bar very high in Philadelphia.

The dollar figures that resonated through the offseason boggled the mind: $240 million for Albert Pujols.

Veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt remains one of the biggest names on the free-agent market, as the reporting date for pitchers and catchers continues to inch closer for this spring.

Jul 18, 2009; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade watches batting practice before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

It is not like the Atlanta Braves really needed any extra motivation headed into this offseason.

BEING RUBEN Amaro Jr. is kind of like being Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen or even the late Steve Jobs.

Nov 14, 2011; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr addresses the media during a press conference at Citizens Bank Park.

I was reading a lot of the things RAJ has been saying lately about Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels and contracts and what not.

Over at Metsblog.com there have been a couple of discussions about what is expected of the New York Mets this season.

Every season brings surprises, and there are always a handful of players who give us a performance that is out of step with our expectations.

The anticipation is building for the new season with spring training just around the corner.

Over the weekend Ruben Amaro was quoted as saying that he'd rather have Ryan Howard on his current deal than either Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols on theirs.

Today they are certifiable baseball fact - question marks removed - and the fodder that keeps every MLB fanbase dreaming of some better tomorrow.

Every day this month, we here at Philthy Stuff will be counting down the New Year's resolutions of each member on the Phillies, and what they can do to guide this team back to October.

All the attention goes to Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee as the aces of the Philadelphia Phillies , but what about the only World Series MVP on the staff? That's right, I'm talking about the fun-loving, wavy-haired, San Diegoan Cole Hamels.

The Yankees had pitching problems last season but they seem to be gone right now after the acquisition of Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda.

Gloucester Township Rotary Club will host a fundraiser next month to benefit the proposed "Field of Dreams" baseball facility for physically and mentally disabled children.

Three-time All-Star right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt spent the first nine and a half seasons of his career as a dominant force for the Astros.