PHILS SIGN COLE HAMELS FOR THREE YEARS  —  The Phillies have reached a three-year, $20.5 million contract with their ace, Cole Hamels, the Post has learned.  —  Hamels will receive $4.35 million in 2009, $6.65 million in 2010 and $9.5 million in 2011.  Though a long-term contract …

He wants to return, says face-to-face with owner ‘went OK’  —  Longtime Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek met with club owner John Henry for approximately 90 minutes near Varitek's Atlanta-area home last night in an apparent attempt to resolve the winterlong stalemate between the player and team.

Lowe: I'll love playing in Atlanta  —  Contract finalized, right-hander introduced at Turner Field  —  ATLANTA — When Derek Lowe arrived at Turner Field for a Jan. 8 meeting with the Braves, it seemed like the team couldn't have picked a worse day to attempt to sell him on the organization.

Yankees Hearing Offers for Swisher and Nady  —  On his official Web site, Nick Swisher is depicted in a Yankees uniform, staring out at a pitcher as he wags his bat over his head.  The photo has obviously been altered — Swisher has a beard, for one thing — and the scene it depicts may never come to pass.

Braves to discuss option of adding Andruw  —  Agent says 8 teams have called about free agent  —  Andruw Jones is there if they want him, but the Braves haven't decided if they want him enough to make any significant commitment to the fallen former Atlanta center fielder.

Mets are unlikely to be keeping up with Jones  —  The Mets briefly contemplated trading for Andruw Jones earlier this winter as a way to unload Luis Castillo's contract.  —  But while the Dodgers have eaten the final year of the free-agent bust's whopping deal, one team official still answered …

Pitching Perspectives with Rick Peterson  —  An Overview of 4 Key Issues of Major League Pitching  —  If one was to poll major league executives, players, and coaches along with fans and the media about the most important element for the success of a team, the resounding answer would be pitching.

Piniella hints Marshall is front-runner for fifth starter  —  CUBS IN BRIEF:  —  With the opening of Cubs Convention signaling the winter stretch drive toward spring training, the Cubs have a significant question mark at the end of their rotation.  And the first thing manager Lou Piniella …

The Great Derek Jeter Conspiracy  —  or Part III of 'Things Aren't Always as They Appear".  —  How is it that Derek Jeter can win three consecutive Gold Glove awards (2004-2006) for being the best defensive shortstop in the American League, but virtually every saber fielding metric rates him among the worst?

Pirates reach out to Martinez  —  But talks with free-agent pitcher just exploratory  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates have had contact with Pedro Martinez, one of the most prominent names among free-agent pitchers, and would be interested if the price is right.  But talks solely have been exploratory to this point.

Eye surgery on docket for Big Z  —  Enigmatic Cub to undergo Lasik-type procedure to clear up ‘fuzzy’ vision  —  Forget the Milton Bradley signing, Ryan Dempster's return and the Jake Peavy intrigue.  —  The best-laid plans of the 2009 Cubs start with the no-hit, no-predicting enigma that is their would-be ace, Carlos Zambrano.

Tigers' discussions with Lyon ongoing  —  Reliever may make decision next week; Parrish weighing options  —  DETROIT — The Tigers continue to hold discussions with the agent for free-agent reliever Brandon Lyon, who could end up making a decision on a team next week.