The Philadelphia Phillies and pitcher Cole Hamels agreed to a six-year, $144 million deal Wednesday that prevents to the 2008 World Series MVP from becoming a free agent come November.

The contract is the largest signed by a Philadelphia athlete and second-highest for a pitcher behind the $161 million, seven-year deal the New York Yankees gave CC Sabathia in December 2008.

Hamels deal includes a club vesting option for 2019 and a limited no-trade provision. It will pay him roughly $24 million per season.

“It was long and laborious,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said about negotiations, which started last May. “We finally got to the finish line. (Six years) is unprecedented for the Phillies, but we did it with the right person.”

Hamels, 28, becomes the third Philadelphia starting pitcher to make more than $20 million a season, joining Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.

Hamels is a three-time All Star, and is 11-4 this season with a 3.23 ERA. The south-paw overall is 85-58 with a 3.38 ERA in seven years with the Phillies.

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