When the Angels signed Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract last week they acquired quite possibly the best player in baseball. They also took a considerable risk.
Hamilton has had drug and alcohol problems in the past. He was once suspended from baseball for three years and admits “I’ve made some mistakes.”
But he’s come back to be an American League MVP and last season he had 43 home runs and 128 RBI for the Texas Rangers. He’s also an outstanding outfielder.
With Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and several other key players the Angels figure to be one of the best offensive teams in baseball.
But there have been a couple of important subtractions too from a team that didn’t make the playoffs last season.
Outfielder Torii Hunter became a free agent and signed with the Detroit Tigers.
.Hunter is a highly respected veteran and it would have been nice if the Angels could have kept him to be a role model for Hamilton. Then there’s the departure of former Cy Young award pitcher Zach Grienke, who became a free agent and joined the Dodgers.
The Angels expect Hamilton to be their left fielder. Trout will play center and with Hunter gone Mark Trumbo will be given the opportunity to be the right fielder unless he’s traded to acquire a pitcher.
Adding to the powerhouse lineup is DH Kendry Morales unless he is traded. Adding to the outfield possibilities is speedy Peter Borgous unless he is traded.
Now 31, Hamilton and his wife Katie have four daughters. Last season the Rangers paid a friend of Hamilton’s agent to travel with the team to watch over Hamilton and the Angels will do the same.
There is nothing in Hamilton’s contract to protect the Angels if he has a relapse. But Hamilton will undergo drug tests three times a week and a positive result would lead to punishment from Major League baseball.
Although there’s no question about Hamilton’s baseball ability there is uncertainty among big league teams about his potential for trouble, especially with salaries so high these days for star players.
Four years was the most other teams would consider but the Angels added a fifth year when negotiations became serious. Hamilton will receive a $10 million signing bonus and his salary next season will be $13 million.
“We had a chance to acquire one of the best players in baseball,” said owner Arte Moreno. “I see it as a good investment.
Hamilton has a no-trade contract.
Moreno denied that the Angels were trying to counter the Dodgers’ recent signing of Grienke, the latest effort by the Dodgers to be among the elite teams in the major leagues and the marquee team in Southern California.
Moreno said he’s happy the new Dodger owners are spending because fans have supported the team well since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn in 1958.
The Dodgers and Angels will play four games against each other from May 27 to 30, the first two at Dodger Stadium, the last two in Anaheim.
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