Outfielder Josh Hamilton has signed a five-year, $125-million contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
First, C.J. Wilson. Now Hamilton. Boy, now the AL West rivalry between the Angels and Texas Rangers is really going to intensify.
Let’s see if I get this right. Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in the same lineup.
The Angels have had a busy off-season adding Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson to the starting rotation and arming the bullpen with Ryan Madson and Sean Burnett.
But Hamilton is a big coup indeed.
Hamilton spent five seasons with the Rangers winning the AL MVP in the 2010 season. In 2012, he hit .285 with 43 homeruns and 128 RBI in 2012 including a 4 homerun game against the Baltimore Orioles.
However, the Rangers faded at the end of the season and were beaten by the upstart Oakland A’s for the AL West title. Hamilton dropped a fly ball in the series finale against the A’s much to the dismay of Rangers manager Ron Washington. The Rangers had to settle for one of the two AL Wild Card spots and were subsequently beaten by the Orioles.
Obviously, the Angels are taking a risk given Hamilton’s history of substance abuse and injuries. But for five years, it is a risk worth taking.