Los Angeles Angels Trading Josh Hamilton, Slugger to Return to the Rangers
Josh Hamilton will most likely don a Rangers Jersey once again.
A baseball source, according to ESPN.com, confirmed that the Los Angeles Angels are "very close" to finalizing a trade that would send Hamilton to Texas. The deal will most likely get officially announced on Monday, MLB.com reported earlier.
Hamilton was a part of the Rangers from 2008 to 2012. In each of those seasons, the 33-year-old outfielder made it on the All-Stat team. In 2010, he was the American League most valuable player.
The Angels currently owe Hamilton $83 million through 2017. In this deal, the Rangers would be expected to pay around $15 million. The Angels would cover the difference, Yahoo! Sports reported.
Hamilton signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels back in December 2012. Over the next two seasons, he hit .255 with 31 home runs and 123 RBIs. He has not been with the team so far this season due to a shoulder injury.
"No matter what the situation is, I think Josh is going to pick up a 35-inch bat and go swing. That's what he's good at, and I think that's what he needs to be doing right now," Hamilton's teammate C.J. Wilson said.
Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre added, "If it does happen and he becomes a teammate, we're going to support him no matter what. We'll do our best to help him think about baseball and not be a distraction. We know Josh and who he is. We hope he's healthy, his mind is in a good position and he has the support he needs to be the productive Josh that we all know he can be -- the Josh that helped us go to the World Series in 2011. Who doesn't need a guy like Josh Hamilton? There might be a little more media craziness or more questions about why he's here, but we'll deal with it."
During the offseason, Hamilton, who has a history of drug and alcohol abuse, suffered a relapse. Despite failing a drug test, Hamilton was not suspended, a decision that was made by an arbitration panel.
