Cole Hamels pitched one-run ball for 5 2/3 innings and struck out seven in the Phillies' 2-1 win over the Rays on Thursday. Hamels has had just one rough outing this spring, that coming 11 days ago. He possesses a 3.42 ERA and a 17/4 K/BB ratio in 23 2/3 innings.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that the Phillies "know how much" Cole Hamels will cost and appear to be making progress toward a long-term extension. One person with knowledge of the situation says Hamels is demanding at least $20 million per season and that the Phillies are prepared to pay it. The two sides aren't seeing eye-to-eye yet on years, though, as the Phillies would prefer to do a four-year deal while Hamels would certainly get more on the open market. Still, another source told Salisbury that the two sides have made "good progress" in negotiations and predicts that a deal will get done at some point in the near future. There's no formal deadline for contract talks, but Opening Day figures to be a crucial date.

Cole Hamels was roughed up on Sunday for five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. Hamels took the loss, but it's worth noting that he looked very sharp in his first three spring outings. The left-hander should get one more start before kicking it into high gear for the regular season.

Jimmy Rollins predicted Thursday that Cole Hamels will sign a long-term deal with the Phillies. "He'll be here," Rollins told CSNPhilly.com. "He's not going anywhere. He was drafted by this organization, raised by this organization and became a superstar in this organization. If you know anything about this organization, that means he's not going anywhere." We wouldn't be so sure. Hamels is likely seeking a contract worth more than $100 million and will have plenty of big-budget organizations making offers if he hits the free agent market this fall.

Cole Hamels reiterated Thursday that he will not put a deadline on extension talks with the Phillies. "I'm not the type of guy who needs to put parameters or barriers out there," said Hamels. The southpaw's agent, John Boggs, arrived at the Phillies' spring training complex in Clearwater earlier this week, but the two sides aren't close to a deal. Hamels, who is due to hit free agency next offseason, is likely to command a long-term deal well above $100 million.

Updating a previous item, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Phillies and Cole Hamels are "not close" to reaching a contract extension. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com wrote Tuesday afternoon that talks between the Phillies and Hamels are starting to heat up now that the southpaw's agent, John Boggs, has arrived at the Phillies' spring training complex in Clearwater, but Rosenthal writes that the two sides are no closer to a deal. Hamels is set to earn $15 million this season before hitting free agency. He will almost certainly seek a long-term deal well north of $100 million.

According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, long-term talks between the Phillies and Cole Hamels are "starting to heat up" this week in Clearwater, Florida. Hamels' San Diego-based agent, John Boggs, has arrived at the Phillies' spring training complex to engage in contract discussions with the Philadelphia front office. Hamels hasn't set a deadline for talks to cease, but he might want some kind of resolution before Opening Day. The 28-year-old left-hander is believed to be seeking a several-year deal worth around $20 million per season. He's currently scheduled to hit the free agent market five days after the 2012 World Series.

Cole Hamels hasn't given the Phillies a deadline for negotiations toward a long-term extension. In other words, he won't be bothered by in-season discussions. Hamels and his agent are expected to meet with Phillies officials this spring in Clearwater, Florida and will look to build the framework for a new contract. The 28-year-old lefty is thought to be seeking a several-year deal worth around $20 million per season.

Cole Hamels' agent, John Boggs, told CSN Philly he expects to visit with team officials in Florida at some point during spring training. Boggs believes Hamels is one of the elite pitchers in the game and should be paid accordingly, but stated he would give the Phillies "every opportunity" to sign his client to a long-term deal. Still, it would be surprising if Hamels doesn't test the free agent market, as he'll likely command a salary in the range of $20 million per season.

Phillies president David Montgomery said the team has the necessary money to sign Cole Hamels to a long-term deal, but agreeing on the number of years will be the key. "It'll probably come down to what we think is an appropriate length and what they think," Montgomery said. "You try to minimize risk by not going longer than necessary. And a player is looking for as much security as he can get. It's an equation that takes time to hopefully get worked out." Hamels' agent, John Boggs, has said previously that they will give the Phillies "every opportunity" to lock the lefty up on a long-term deal, but he also expects his client to be compensated as an "elite pitcher." It would be a surprise if Hamels doesn't test the free agent market next winter.