The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Cole Hamels have agreed to a $15 million, one-year contract which avoids the sides going to an arbitration hearing.  Hamels’ $15 million sets the record as the highest ever for an arbitration-eligible pitcher before being eligible for free agency.

“We’re happy we’ve concluded the one-year portion of this,” Hamels’ agent, John Boggs, told ESPN.com. “And at the appropriate time, I’m sure we’ll have dialogue with the Phillies and continue talking about a multiyear deal.”

The left-hander and 2008 World Series MVP can become a free agent after the 2012 season.  The Phillies also agreed to a $930,000, one-year deal with infielder Wilson Valdez.

Image by Rory Connell under the Creative Commons License.