Source: Angels close to trading Josh Hamilton to Rangers
The Texas Rangers are close to acquiring Josh Hamilton from the Los Angeles Angels, sources with knowledge of the talks confirmed to FOX Sports.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com was the first major outlet to report the news (though a smaller website first mentioned the talks a week ago), which is poised to end a stalemate between the Angels and Hamilton that began with Hamilton’s reported relapse involving alcohol and cocaine during the offseason. Now Hamilton is on the verge of rejoining the Rangers, with whom he earned one American League MVP award and was named to five All-Star teams from 2008 through 2012.
Sources said Friday evening that the Angels and Rangers had yet to agree on all terms of the deal, meaning it could be several days before the full matter is resolved. But under the deal’s general parameters as of Friday, the Rangers will not send any players to the Angels, and the Rangers will take on less than $15 million in financial obligations to Hamilton -- with one report stating the amount will be less than $7 million taken on by Texas. He is owed $83 million over the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons.
One key element of the trade is that Hamilton will relinquish some money to the Angels that had been due to him. Traditionally, the Major League Baseball Players Association has prevented proposed agreements under which players give up financial benefits in their guaranteed contracts. However, in this case the MLBPA apparently views playing in a state (Texas) with no state income tax as a benefit unto itself.
Five parties are involved in the complicated negotiations, and a source saying Saturday that Hamilton could opt out of his deal after 2016 if a trade to Texas is completed.
Five parties involved in Hamilton talks: #Rangers, #Angels, MLB, union, Hamilton. Announcement could come today, but details not yet final.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 25, 2015
Source: Hamilton can opt out after ‘16 if trade to #Rangers is completed, as @Evan_P_Grant said. Would receive significant buyout if he did.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 25, 2015
Hamilton, who turns 34 next month, was a disappointment in two injury-plagued seasons with the Angels, batting .255 with 31 home runs and 123 RBI in 240 games.
In recent weeks, Angels owner Arte Moreno has declined to say publicly that Hamilton would play for the team again. Even two weeks ago, Hamilton’s rehabilitation from offseason shoulder surgery had advanced to the point that he was ready to resume a greater level of baseball activity. However, at no point did the Angels say publicly that they were prepared to welcome him back to their spring training facility or home clubhouse at Angel Stadium.
Earlier this month, a Major League Baseball arbitrator ruled — to the Angels’ dismay — that Hamilton had not violated the league’s drug treatment program, so he will be fully eligible to play for the Rangers once they deem him to be in baseball condition.