Jason Hammel and Colorado Rockies reach agreement on 2-year deal worth 7.75 million dollars
It came as no surprise to see Jason Hammel sign on with the Colorado Rockies again on Saturday, 22 January. The pitcher who was effective with the club last year was able to ink a deal that will see him contest as a Rockies’ man
for another 2 years.
It seems the club has made the right move to go with experience into the new season. Life can be tough for the team, especially when it has to go up against the likes of Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.
The deal is said to be worth 7.75 million dollars. With spring training just around the corner, the signing could not have come earlier. With a long distinction in time left on the forum, the club was not going to let itself be
drawn in by the arbitration process. Hammel was eligible this year and was eventually signed on with the prospect of less payout. The player will earn $3 million this year and $4.75 million in 2012. There are bonuses involved however, and the deal can be enriched
later.
Hammel featured in 30 games last season. In those encounters, Jason stretched his strikeout tally to 141 and punctured most of the opponents’ attacks. However, he was very expensive with his earning runs average as the figure steeped
to 4.81 in the season. His salary in the preceding season was $1.9 million and the increase in pay seems somewhat affordable. With the arbitration process excluded from the arrangement, the club’s management can take pleasure in the fact that costs will be
kept low.
"It's nice to have them show faith in me," Hammel said. "Even though I did falter at the end of last year, I've seen improvement. I could have folded up the ship after April, when I started off terrible. I can't take all the credit
or blame for wins and losses, but after that I did my part to keep the team in games, and showed that I wasn't a fluke. This contract doesn't mean anything is being given to me, but it says I'm in their plans for the next two years, maybe beyond. Now it's
up to me to go out and produce for a full year. I feel like the best is yet to come."
Hammel’s family carries a history of heart disease. His father William Hammel III expired due to a heart attack and that has been worrying for the player who has taken up prescription for the ailment. The common goal is to limit
the cholesterol level in his body. However, he took up ‘Crestor’ as a medicine for the problem. Unfortunately, the side effects included muscle pains and hence the prescription had to end.
Now, he has turned towards acupuncture and that has paid dividends thus far. The player seems to be back in shape and it makes his presence in the club even more important.
"I weaned myself off that," he said. "My wife has received acupuncture. I didn't know needles could help with the cholesterol, but with the help of my wife, we talked to a doctor and started doing that. I've also begun taking some
natural, herbal medicines that do the same thing Crestor does, but it's not as processed or chemical. I also made some changes to my diet and workout regimen. My body feels great. I know managing my cholesterol is a serious life matter, but I also want to
be able to do what I do."
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