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« Olney's Latest: Willis, Zito | Main | Geren, A's Near Extension »
Rangers Working On Extending Hamilton
According to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram, the Rangers are expected to begin moving toward a long-term contract extension for Josh Hamilton and could have something done by the end of spring training. The Rangers have been discussing this for over a month.
For how much or how long remains to be seen. Hamilton has 3 years of arbitration remaining after this year before becoming eligible for free agency in 2012. Wilson thinks Texas will want to cover 2 years of free agency. The Rangers signed Ian Kinsler to a 5-year, $22MM deal in February 2008 so a five-to-six year deal similar to the Kinsler deal, or recent deals signed by Dustin Pedroia (6 years), Troy Tulowitzki (6 years), Evan Longoria (6 years), or Ryan Braun (8 years), could be expected for Hamilton.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com says the Rangers are expected to make a proposal to Hamilton's agent, Michael Moye, early this week.
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Why extend him? He has 4 years left of controllability, and he is already 28. They control his prime years, why extend him past that? Buying out some arb years is one things, but why not just wait and see for another year before extending him. He isn't some 23 year old who is 4 or 5 years from his prime.
Posted by: nrmax88 | March 22, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Please God let Mr. Hamilton become offended by the offer and let him go to Atlanta and decide to sign there
Amen.
Posted by: Braves for NL East!! | March 22, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Longoria isn't exactly the kind of model one would use in this situation. He's one where you gotta ask what the hell was his agent thinking. Would have been arb eligible by 2011 I think, and he'll make $2M.
Youkilis is probably the best model. Older controllable player.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | March 22, 2009 at 12:07 PM
8 years 100 million offer it to him now.
Posted by: Rangerfan | March 22, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Thats a good point purple. Rangersfan was it Jon Daniels that gave that contract to A-rod when he came to the Rangers? So You never know that 8 yrs 100 million might go to Hamilton lol
Posted by: Larsen101 | March 22, 2009 at 12:20 PM
"Why extend him? He has 4 years left of controllability, and he is already 28."
Yep, wait another couple of years at least and then if he continues to hit, you have a huge trade chip for prospects at the very least if cannot get him signed on the cheap.
To offer him a 5-6 year deal at the age of 28 with only 1 strong season thus far is not a wise move.
Posted by: johns | March 22, 2009 at 12:27 PM
If the Rangers can ever get some serious pitching in that launch pad of a stadium they would really be a threat in the West with all the talent they have on that team.
Posted by: xethicx | March 22, 2009 at 01:34 PM
"If the Rangers can ever get some serious pitching in that launch pad of a stadium they would really be a threat in the West with all the talent they have on that team."
John Danks and Edinson Volquez agree.
Posted by: Laputian | March 22, 2009 at 01:53 PM
"If the Rangers can ever get some serious pitching in that launch pad of a stadium they would really be a threat in the West with all the talent they have on that team."
John Danks and Edinson Volquez agree.//
So does Chris Young.
Posted by: ilikebaseball | March 22, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Tom Hicks was the primary negotiator in the A-Rod 252/10 deal.
Posted by: GScott | March 22, 2009 at 02:48 PM
As others have pointed out, comparing a Hamilton extension to the Longoria, Braun, et al extensions isn't smart because Hamilton is already squarely in his prime. It's not easy to tell if he's going to get much better, while there's a pretty strong chance that younger players like Longoria and Braun could improve exponentially. I would just hang on to him through his arb years and give him his raises. If the Rangers extend him for too long and too much $, his trade value plummets.
Posted by: Scott B. | March 22, 2009 at 03:02 PM
The problem with a situation like this is a) his age and b) the fact that while it would feel good as a fan of hamilton to see him get some money, the Rangers don't have to give it to him. He'll be what? 33 when he hits free agency.
One thing people neglect to mention is that had he not had his personal issues, he would have been raking for the past 4 years or whatever and already had a massive extension, way back when "fiscal responsibility" was a misnomer in the MLB. He would have also been in his early 20's.
Be that as it may, he's 28 with many years left before free agency and the only reason people want him locked up is to feel good or something.
If I were the Rangers, I'd go year to year unless it becomes obvious that he's going to command record-breaking arbitration numbers. If that's the case, I'd give him an average of 6 million a year over his arbitration years and then sign him to 4 years/50 million to buy out his free agent years. Once those contracts are up he'll be 38 years old and his paycheck will probably be looked at as a discount by the end, assuming he continues similar production throughout.
Posted by: BomberMan26 | March 22, 2009 at 08:33 PM