Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton will be eligible for free agency after the 2012 season, and both Hamilton and the Rangers have a policy of avoiding in-season negotations. Hamilton told reporters including Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram yesterday, "If something is going to happen, it'll happen this winter or in spring training. [During the season] I'm going to be focused on what I got to do and what I need to do to help the team win." Hamilton went on to explain his stance on a possible extension:
"Obviously I love it here. It always comes down to being treated fairly. I've been this way since I signed out of high school. Treat me fair and don't come in with no ridiculously low stuff."
Rangers president Nolan Ryan told Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas that discussions with Hamilton are an "ongoing process," and he doesn't have a feel for what it will take to retain him.
I have the feeling negotiations between Hamilton and the Rangers is going to get ugly.
I doubt it. The mutual interest is there and Hamilton is a key part of the team. JD will get it done.
If it’s for more than 3 years, I will cry. We need to just let him go.
“Treat me fair and don’t come in with no ridiculously low stuff.”Translation:”There’s no homeboy hookup”
The proper translation is: “Can you tell I signed out of high school?”
so how much is Hamilton worth in terms of years and annual salary?
As much as I love Josh being a Ranger, I kind of wish we’d let him walk and sign Fielder.
Any extension or contract (if he reaches FA) with Hamilton better be loaded with options, incentives and insurance.
Even at his most healthy he secretly has 3 or 4 things bothering him, and his knees are a long term concern that could significantly shorten his career. And since he got a late start he will turn 32 very early in his first FA year so you have the general aging concerns piled on.
So yeah, if he’ll take the money with an otherwise team friendly contract alright hes a great and popular player keep him around… but if he thinks those stipulations are insulting, be happy you got his best years relatively cheap and let him walk.
“Obviously I love it here. It always comes down to being treated
fairly. I’ve been this way since I signed out of high school. Treat me
fair and don’t come in with no ridiculously low stuff.”
-Grammar sigh-
One of the things my teacher ALWAYS harped about was the dreaded double negative.
That guy annoys me. Well spoken too.
I’m guessing you tried to make it in baseball and couldn’t get on to a college team, so now you’re upset?
I’m fine with someone signing him for 5 years/$100MM with the provision that every single dollar must be earned. So much for plate appearance, home run, games started, etc. The guy is a constant injury threat and thusly a constant threat to end up on the DL for long stretches or to be ineffective at the plate due to injury. As great as he can be obviously nobody is comfortable guaranteeing him anything significant and I don’t blame them.
So yeah…let him walk. But then who takes him and for how much? Who’s going to be viewed as smart for passing and dumb for signing him to big years and money? Who’s going to be viewed as shrewd for locking him up and who’s going to be viewed as overly cautious by passing?
Josh Hamilton might be the most frustrating talent in baseball.
If they are trying to lock him up and avoid free agency, I think they start with 3 or 4 years. He’s likely going to want more and can probably get more in free agency, but considering his injury history, it’s a relatively short guarantee of years for the Rangers while giving him security for a “fair” amount of time. As far as dollars go, he’s making $12 million this year so they’re probably looking at around $15 million per, to get him to avoid free agency.