The latest from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com..
- The Padres haven't given up the idea of signing to Carlos Quentin to an extension even though he figures to be the star hitter of the trade market, Heyman writes. However, the club's unsettled ownership situation could hurt the team's chances to retain him if it remains in limbo. Heyman suggests that Michael Cuddyer, who got $31.5MM for three years from the Rockies, and Josh Willingham, who got $21MM for three years from the Twins could be solid comps. Recently, Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at the veteran's stock on the trade market.
- The Rangers expect Josh Hamilton to file for free agency at the end of the year but still may try to sign him before the season is through, according to Heyman. The Rangers are believed to be willing to offer him a big annual salary but do not want to give a long-term deal along the lines of the Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Joey Votto. The Rangers have assigned a life coach to chaperone and monitor Hamilton, but people who have spoken to them say it has proven to be a very demanding job.
Quentin has played in what, six games? Delusions of June. By that logic shouldn’t Michael Saunders be the hottest trade chip in the game right now?
how many all-star games has saunders played in?
An all-star game simply means that one time some people noticed a good first half. This is anti-logic, the polar opposite of good mental process
then show me what logic gives you the conclusion that michael saunders’ track record is in any way comparable to carlos quentin’s. feel free to get technical.
I think the Rangers go for Jorge Soler…
I’m not saying the Rangers are the only team that could handle the baggage that comes along with a person like Josh Hamilton, but the fact that they’ve assigned a handler and have been so committed and so forgiving and so generous and have a history of handing massive contracts to deserving players makes me wonder what the heck is up with Hamilton’s indifference to their loyalty.
Is it loyalty from the Rangers or are they ensuring the value of an asset?
The man has every right to sign with whatever team offers him the contract he wants.
Hamilton had a babysitter with the Reds, too. It seems that expecting loyalty from someone with Hamilton’s issues might be expecting too much.
I really hope Josh Hamilton figures it out very soon for his sake and his family’s sake. Once his playing days are over, do you really think he’s going to take the initiative to hire someone to monitor everything he does? Who knows what he’ll do without having someone tell him not to do the wrong thing. The advisor isn’t really helping him learn anything; he’s just a temporary crutch to keep Hamilton on the field and playing for his employer. He doesn’t seem too willing to truly learn how to conquer his demons and addictions if he’s copping an attitude everywhere he goes. This is going to sound really mean, but I’ll be shocked if Josh Hamilton lives past 50. I hope I’m wrong.
That was one of the most clueless uninformed statements regarding addiction I have read. Typical never did a drug, this is how you quit and live mentality.
clue me in then, since you seem to know a bit about it.
and for the record, while i’ve never done that type of stuff, two of my closest friends are recovering addicts that had to hit rock bottom before they finally came out of it. i’ve heard the stories, all the things they’ve lost, what they had to do to build themselves up again, and both of them say it’s the hardest challenge they’ve ever taken on, so i’m not discounting the degree of difficulty that sobering up has. but they had to do it without a guy walking around them all the time, while Hamilton still has some issues with the guy monitoring them.
the media does sensationalize things a lot these days, so maybe catering to Josh isn’t as difficult as they say. or maybe they’re spot on. but it’s not the first time we’ve heard this out of anyone. hamilton just sounds like a guy who thinks he has all the answers, and as i’ve been told by those who know, addicts have all the answers until they don’t.
+1 on that last sentence.
Interesting piece and suspect timing regarding the release of the difficulty dealing with Hamilton and his off-field behavior. A skeptic might think that is was purposely leaked by the Rangers to scare away or at least dampen interest from other teams, considering the monster year he’s having.
I posted my prediction that he’ll re-sign with Texas for a lot less money than expected, because of the baggage issue, earlier on another thread and this article confirms it to my mind.
Wow, I sure hope Carlos Quentin isn’t the best position player available at the break…….
Wherever he signs, it will be for substantiall less money and fewer years than he could have had. Josh not only needs a life coach but his own PR person on his payroll. He’s hurt hjmself these past few years.
I think the Rangers will make only a modest effort to sign him. And I think he’s most likely headed to one of the NY or LA teams who may have greater tolerance for lifestyle issues (though I don’t think any of them will break the bank for him) and where he may feel more accepted by the public than most any place else.
Obviously you don’t live in either one of those markets. What makes you think that any of those franchises would pay large sums of money as well as pay for a ‘chaperone’ and risk him doing something off the wall that would jeopardize their investment?
Safe bet that the teams in the cities you’ve mentioned will be the least interested in Hamilton for the very reasons you stated. You should also not infer that those cities will accept his ‘lifestyle’. You seem to be making an assumption based on false stereotypical premise.
Katie Hamilton already has quotes being published about the contract and the importance of the money. She claims they have big plans for its use (not in a selfish or materialistic way) and that staying in Texas is not important if “God” wants them somewhere else, even if its not about being where they feel most comfortable.
He will be gone after this season and barring any incident or injury, will earn substantially more than what anyone around here thinks, who is so focused on his past baggage. The guy is a national brand on and off the field.
All it takes is one team to give a ridiculous offer, and by everything that has come out of his mouth, and now even his wife’s, the money is the major factor in their decision.