PBR - If contract negotiations were a  game of chess than Cole Hamels made it clear on Monday afternoon at Bright House Field that the Phillies have the next move.

The 28-year-old spoke for nearly a half-hour and discussed his interest in remaining with the Phillies beyond 2012. He and the club agreed to a one-year deal in January worth $15 million to avoid arbitration.

"Ever since I was drafted I was very fortunate to play for an organization that has been trying to win and obviously has won," Hamels said. "Every year we seem to get some top players. That shows you the direction the team wants to go. I'm just very fortunate to be a part of it. It's a great organization to play for and I'd love to be a part of that."

Hamels said he expects agent John Boggs to sit down with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. at some point during spring training to begin discussing the possibility of a long-term contract.

"We didn't really discuss one [before]," Hamels said. "I think we were just focused on getting through the arbitration process and discussing the one-year deal. We were just happy we were able to get that done and not have to go through the strenuous case process."

Hamels made it clear he is not placing a timetable on contract discussions.

"I have confidence my agent and I know the Phillies are always going out and trying to get things done," Hamels said. "I'll leave that matter to them. That's why I have an agent. I don't see too many players that know how to be an agent and a player at the same time."

Hamels underwent a pair of offseason surgeries, one to remove a bone chip in his pitching elbow, the other to repair a sports hernia. He said he has fully recovered and has already thrown off a mound.

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