4:57pm: Hamilton “balked” at a scenario that would have sent him to extended spring training, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times tweets.
The Rangers, meanwhile, would be willing to bring Hamilton back, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com tweets. He cautions that there is “no word yet if that will happen.”
4:51pm: Hamilton will be moved via trade, Rosenthal tweets. It is not done yet, but appears likely to happen, he adds.
4:50pm: The Angels are “close to parting with” slugger Josh Hamilton, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports (via Twitter). Sports Illustrated’s Michael McCann wrote earlier today that it appeared a move that would sever ties between Hamilton and the club could be made within days.
Hamilton had been said to be preparing to work back from injury in extending spring training. His relationship with the team hit a low point when he admitted to an offseason drug relapse. Though the league pushed for a suspension, an arbitrator ultimately ruled that Hamilton had not violated his drug treatment program and thus could not be suspended.
The team’s negative reaction to the news that Hamilton would not be suspended certainly seemed to portend a possible end to the relationship. At the same time, it has been hard to see a way for the club to accomplish that other than simply cutting him loose.
Indeed, even now, it remains entirely unclear what action the team will ultimately pursue to finalize the separation. A trade is at least hypothetically possible, with a buyout of some kind perhaps making more intuitive sense at first glance.
Well, it can’t be the Padres this time.
Don’t test them.
You wouldn’t think.
Hoo boy. …. Gotta figure the acquiring team will be leaked within a couple hours, if not sooner. He’s still a huge potential bat.
Texas. For probably a PTBNL. And the angels probably paying 90% of it
The Angels should eat all of his contract and only receive a couple of mid level prospects in return.
Mid level to much, they have 0 leverage
oh god please not the yankees
not with his drinking problem in NYC. If Yanks wanted him they would of signed him 2 years ago. His swing in Yankee stadium makes it tempting but they already have ARod do they really need another circus
What are some teams who have a hole at DH or a corner outfield spot?
well the white sox and reds have gotten awful of play so far
From the corners they’ve actually been solid. Unless youre referring to dh
The Angels. I’d rather Keep Hamilton since it looks like the halos will have to eat most of his contract in a trade or release. He is definitely better than a platoon of Joyce/Cowgill.
Very curious to find out with who and how much he brings back
I’m sure he’ll return to MVP form wherever he goes.
I wonder where he’s going
I wonder how much money the Angels will be eating in order to move him. Regardless, I can’t imagine they’ll get much in return, as even a healthy Hamilton wouldn’t be expected to produce much.
probably about 40 million
Well I doubt the Yankees are involved unless somehow they move Beltran in the deal. I can’t even fathom what team might be in on this.
phillies for papplebon – angels pay the difference in salary
Terrible deal for PHI
There could be some possibilities in Philly —- Hamilton & cash for Howard? Hamilton and a prospect for Howard & Papelbon? ….
That would make the least possible sense of any speculated deal. The Phillies are going nowhere fast and will only want prospects or young, controllable assets for Papelbon.
I was going to try to guess which team would be acquiring him, but I’m honestly at a loss.
I cant think of anyone either. Maybe the Mariners?
white sox?
Maybe, but I see them wanting a Right Handed hitter over a lefty
Oh, please no. I’m a Mariners fan. I don’t want to touch him. I don’t think we can take on his salary either. We don’t really have a guy we need to shed. The only thing I can guess is swap of bad contracts. Since San Diego is pretty right handed, perhaps Hamilton for BJ Upton?
I doubt that the Angels would want to take that big contract of Upton’s to get rid of Hamilton’s contract. I don’t see them wanting to do that
I don’t see the Yankees going after him because they’ve been trying to duck that luxury tax. I don’t see anyone in the AL East getting him actually
Yankees and Alex Rodriguez
I’m guessing he has some sort of no-trade clause, so I highly doubt that. No way he would risk getting shipped from NY during his twilight years while he’d be chasing milestones. And lots of $$$.
Alex has a full no-trade and would have to waive it.
What about the Mariners, would they be interested in Hamilton?
Not at the moment
Hmmm. Perhaps the Athletics
Rangers.
I think this is the most likely scenario. Probably eating a good bit of money, too.
The only option I see, is San Diego acquiring him for BJ Upton in a swap of bad contracts, once again. LA clearly wants to move on from him and San Diego is very right handed.
But where does Hamilton play in that full OF?
He probably doesn’t. He would be a pinch-hit/occasional spot starter type.
Are you sure they don’t mean the Spring Training site and not the Diamondbacks?
That’s exactly what they mean, extended spring training at the home in Arizona.
If Moreno’s going to eat most of the contract it could be ANY team, at this point. A dispirited Braves’ fan base could be livened up with such a grab.
why move the guy when you will still need to pay pretty much his whole salary? why not get him healthy and see if he can bounce back?!
Both team and player burned that bridge and it appeared to have become a toxic relationship. Apparently the team wanted out badly enough that they’re willing to eat $70 million or so…
Wow. Did not expect the Rangers. It’s a good landing spot for him as it’ll play to whatever power he has left, and he’s had success there. Still a weird deal for them unless they plan to skip the whole rebuilding process and make a couple of big trades within the next year, which I doubt.
Or I guess they could hope for a bounce back and move him once his value is rebuilt somewhat. That wouldn’t be the worst idea if the Angels are eating most of the money
Wow, Texas. Not totally unsurprising though.
Maybe the Athletics could get him to platoon with Butler
It’s a trade with Texas.
It hasn’t been confirmed though has it?
Reports are that a Texas trade is very close to complete. It still can fall apart though.
Oh yeah I just read Rosenthal’s tweet
He Just Tweeted that The Texas beat writer for MLB dot com says it’s Texas…close but not signed.
Phillies could get him
Sounds like Texas. Guess that makes sense on some levels.
Surprised the Rangers would want him back with all of the negative attention surrounding him. But that’s also a good show of faith
I would assume he is headed to Texas with LAA picking up a large chunk of his money.
or swap for choo?
I am sure Texas would love that swap with LAA picking up most of Hamilton’s money & them being able to off load Choo’s contract.
I’d rather swap for Andrus–anybody would be better at SS for Rangers.
I can’t imagine the Angels would assume all of Choo’s contract and send money to Texas for Hamilton.
I don’t know but the angels need a left fielder because joyce and cowgil are not getting it done
Rosenthal says Rangers are close to acquiring Hamilton
Oh dear lord…the prodigal son indeed.
I was wondering what your reaction would be to this news….
what a total mess. Maybe this will finally be the lesson that Moreno has thus far been unable to learn about contracts.
As a 30-year Angels fan, I’m embarrassed of this owner.
I wonder if it’s some deal focused around Hamilton and Sin Shoo Choo. Choo is owed about 120 million over the next 6 years and Hamilton is owed 83 million over the next three.
I forgot how much choo’s contract was, idk maybe throw in beltre or somebody plus a couple prospects.