Josh Hamilton has generated lots of contract chatter this week after hitting four home runs in a single game against the Orioles. Here’s the latest on the Rangers, starting, of course, with Hamilton’s contract status:
- Agent Scott Boras doesn't represent Hamilton, but he told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that we can expect "one of the most intriguing negotiations in all of sports" leading up to the outfielder's next contract. Nightengale's sources agree that Hamilton will earn at least $20MM per season for five years or more when he signs, whether he obtains an extension from the Rangers or signs as a free agent this offseason. I recommend Nightengale’s entire piece, which includes insights from many on Hamilton’s situation.
- Jay Franklin, the agent for Ian Kinsler, now represents Mitch Moreland as well, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports (Twitter link). Moreland had been a client of the Hendricks brothers. Check out MLBTR’s Agency Database for information regarding player representation.
Every time I see the name “Josh Hamilton” I think to myself “the Cubs had him, how good would he look in center right now?”
Sigh. Going to be a long offseason.
Try not to torture yourself like that. It’s hard enough being a Cub fan right now, and I’m speaking from a Cub fan’s perspective.
That’s not as hard as it is on Rays fans i’m sure. If Hamilton had never had his issues the Rays would have undoubtedly won a WS. As a baseball fan I would have loved to see what Hamilton was capable of (career #s wise), but as Rangers fan the realization is that we would have never had him if he hadn’t had those issues.
I will always wonder what could have been though. We could be looking at someone who might have been a top 5 ballplayer of all time.
There is no guarantee Hamilton would’ve even been on the Rays from 08 on,so I don’t know.
Trust me. It never does one good to reflect on what could have been when it comes to baseball. I should know as a Twins fan (Ortiz, Garza, Lohse, etc.)
Moreland will be ok. He’s coming around, actually batting extremely well the past week+.