12:09pm: Hamilton intends to try his hand at first base, as MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan tweets. Presumably, he could also factor in the corner outfield and DH mix. The organization has been rumored to be pursuing alternatives at first and DH, where Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar currently rate as the top options on the depth chart.
11:38am: Texas has announced the deal. Hamilton will earn at the league-minimum rate if he makes it to the majors, Heyman tweets. That’s not surprising, of course, as Hamilton’s free-agent deal ran through the 2017 season. Most of his $30MM salary will be paid for by the Angels, though the Rangers did also take on a total of $6MM (for the 2015-17 seasons) when they acquired Hamilton.
11:18am: The Rangers have wrapped up an agreement to re-sign one-time star slugger Josh Hamilton, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). A deal has been expected since late in 2016.
Hamilton’s minor-league pact will give him the right to opt out on April 1 if he has not yet been added to the MLB roster. He’ll obviously hope to earn a spot in the major-league mix during spring camp, but it’s not known whether he’d look to pursue an opportunity elsewhere if Texas doesn’t offer him a big league job to open the year.
There remain many questions facing the 35-year-old Hamilton, who was expected to play a significant role for the Rangers last year but ended up requiring consecutive knee surgeries. The veteran outfielder made a brief and largely uninspiring appearance with Texas in 2015, after he was acquired from the Angels, but hasn’t put together a full season since 2013.
While Hamilton didn’t maintain his All-Star-level production upon leaving the Rangers to join the Angels in 2013, he did manage to put up a .255/.316/.426 batting line — good for a 110 OPS+ — during his two years in Los Angeles. If he can return to that sort of hitting, he’d likely be a solid piece for the Rangers, though talent has never been the lone issue. Hamilton, after all, has long dealt with balky knees and battled substance abuse, and he’ll need to maintain his overall health in order to be a productive member of the organization.
mnsports
could he possibly DH for the Rangers?
ronnsnow
Why not work him out at firstbase at least in ST? Until Texas signs Napoli or Trumbo, they don’t have many options there anyway.
ronnsnow
Hey looks like I was right. Points for me.
marshmallowman
was the PTBNL to the angels from texas ever announced? baseball reference doesn’t say
angels fan 3
It was for cash
EhBatterSwing
Let him DH or play 1st for four days, then see if he can still pitch (every 5th day) lol! He’s still got a cannon!
ronnsnow
When will Brady Dragmire be DFA’d?
bosox90
I wonder what he has left in the tank at 35. Gotta say I will certainly be pulling for him to stay mentally sharp and contribute something on the big stage. Addiction is an ugly disease. He has the potential to be very inspirational to others fighting the same fight.
arcadia Ldogg
I imagine it’s been hard for him to be away from the game, especially those white lines.
You’re a loser Josh and a cheater.
holecamels35
I lost respect for him after the angels situation. I don’t care if it seems insensitive, he literally quit and stole money from the team. I won’t feel sorry for someone making a hundred million dollars with infinite resources to help with his problems and a wife who loves him. Sorry.
Dookie Howser, MD
You need to look up the definition of “literally”
xtraflamy
thank you. oy, that irks.
bluejays4life
Actually he got divorced (he filed) in 2015 after his last relapse.
AddisonStreet
Guess she got tired of putting up with his lies.
gammaraze
guess he got tired of being with someone that cared about their status over the health and well being of their spouse…
vinscully16
Joey Gallo has a Clay Buchholz aura about him, a guy with much hype and potential, but will he put it together? Gallo has plenty of holes in his swing.
ronnsnow
Gallo = Pedro Alvarez with a better glove.
reflect
If you’re looking for consistently average production and discounts on cocaine, there’s not a better bargain available.
jbaker3170
Wow…did you really just come up with that, all by yourself?? Here’s a news flash-Believe it or not, you are actually not the first person to make a statement like that. So the next time you try to be an inconsiderate moron, at least try and be original
reflect
You are really upset.
Look like it or not his past happened. It’s real. You can’t run away from it.
You should try being less salty though.
bluejays4life
Obviously you haven’t dealt with someone who has or had an addiction. To insinuate that he is dealing on the side or trying to be clever with such a statement is disingenuous.
bluejays4life
You clearly have not dealt with someone who has/had an addiction. To try and insinuate that he is dealing on the side or trying to be clever with such a statement is rather disingenuous. He’s not salty for being upset with your ignorant comment.
reflect
I know plenty of people with addictions, they joke about their own addictions.
Nothing is above humor, it’s unfortunate that you guys take things so seriously.
Dookie Howser, MD
I think the original response to your post was more upset that your “joke” wasn’t funny.
reflect
Then one can express that without the pretentious elitist attitude demonstrated in the original response.
xtraflamy
now who is salty?
OCMD
Josh is a loser bottom line! He and his agent told the Angels he was clean, rehabilitated, sober, etc.. Too bad the Angels took the word of a loser and didn’t have language in the contract to protect the club. Hamilton’s attorney found a loop hole to self report and he got his money. Angels didn’t want this cancer/liar on their team. If this piece of trash was such a “”good guy” he would quit baseball and learn to become a parent to his kids. His wife divorced him for many, many reasons. He has millions of $$ and many generations of Hamilton’s will not need to work. But, money does not buy class or time. Parents have a very small window to be around the kids when they’re young, full of wonder and needs the guidance of their parents. But, Hamilton is too selfish and obviously running from his responsibilities of being a “Dad”. He is an addict that fortunately pays alimony and child support, but not a parent/Dad. Probably a good thing this loser isn’t around to influence his kids!
angeltrout27
Hamilton has lots of perseverance. He could’ve just made almost $30,000,000 and done nothing about it but instead he’s actually playing his heart out and actually trying to make things right with the angels, rangers, and the fans. I feel bad for everyone who still think that he’s a messed up loser. If you do, you have problems.
Yamsi12
Josh is a chump.
Grebek7
Manny Ramirez or Griffey JR has a better shot at making the big league roster. The kid sure put on a show in that one HR Derby a few years ago though
TheAdrianBeltre
I am rooting for Josh. He has made some terrible decisions with his life, but anyone that truly knows his story, the whole thing, would love to see him have some degree of success, and I’m not just talking baseball. Should have been a hero of World Series legend. Wife has father babysit to ensure payday, and dogs Texas publicly for not extending, essentially burning the bridge with the place he loved, where he was very celebrated, and most of all familiar with. Fan dies attempting to catch ball tossed in stands, which I felt of all players Josh was the worst it could happen to. Like I mentioned before, he made his own decisions, but there’s got to be a better ending to his story… Or at least give him credit for trying, he’d make the same amount doing nothing at all. Losing his wife and fighting addiction, the guy probably needs baseball more than most can see. Good luck, Josh. You don’t have to be good, just be healthy and enjoy your kids. And if it turns out you’re good too, then so be it. Go Rangers…
RyanR
Well said, he could be cashing in doing nothing many would. I think he has good intentions.