Not that I agree with the philosophy or the "label", but the Sox see Hamels as:
- An Ace (I dont agree at this point)
- He is under control for 3 more years (2016-2018, plus a team option for another year)
- Its a short contract (3 years) at reasonable money considering that he is considered a top of the rotation guy and given the economics in Baseball.
- His value is going down, the Phillies wont be asking for Betts, as they did (reportedly) before the season.
Forget the Sox signing Price, Greinke, Cueto this offseason. They dont feel comfortable with that much money + years (mostly, long contracts).
Their next best shot at getting some stud with the right contract terms is someone like Hamels, plus it wont require to empty the farm or part with our best prospects (that is what it would take if the A's decided to put Sonny Gray on the table, for example).
I reallly doubt that Hamels would put the numbers here in Boston, but thats my impression. Other than that, he fills every other aspect from the Sox standpoint IMO.