Josh Hamilton signs with the Angels

Lily Granderson · 12-13-2012, 03:16 PM

5 years $125 million. This is the year of rivals switching sides.

Quote:

Josh Hamilton is going from the Texas Rangers to the rival Los Angeles Angels.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed Thursday that Hamilton agreed to a contract with the Angels. Multiple sources have confirmed to ESPN that the deal is worth $125 million over five years.

Texas had hoped to re-sign Hamilton, the 2010 AL Most Valuable Player. Speaking Thursday after a Rangers' holiday luncheon, Daniels was asked whether Hamilton had agreed with the Angels.

Daniels said "that's accurate" and that he had just been informed by Hamilton's agent, Mike Moye.

Hamilton joins a team that spent big last offseason to add first baseman Albert Pujols for $240 million and pitcher C.J. Wilson for $77.5 million. Yet, the Angels disappointed and failed to make the playoffs.

The agreement came days after the Los Angeles Dodgers added pitchers Zack Greinke and Ryu Hyun-jin, boosting their payroll over $200 million.

Hamilton's addition to the Angels outfield means Mark Trumbo could be moved to third base or traded.

Daniels expressed disappointment that the Rangers weren't given a chance to match the Angels' offer.

"Our full expectation was that the phone call was going to be before he signed, certainly not after and giving us an idea," Daniels said.

Daniels also revealed that Hamilton indicated last week that it "might be time to move on," but the two sides were still talking.

"I thought we had additional conversations this week that had moved it along in a positive direction," Daniels said. "Apparently not. It's business and everybody has to make their own calls, and he has a family to look out for. I get it.

"Josh has done a lot for the organization. The organization has done a lot for Josh -- a lot of things that aren't public and things of that nature. I'm a little disappointed in how it was handled, but he had a decision to make and he made it."

Hamilton's camp had also reportedly met with the Seattle Mariners last week at baseball's winter meetings.

Hamilton, 31, has batted .304 in his big-league career, all but 90 games of it in Texas. He has provided big power in the middle of the Rangers' lineup, helping the team to World Series appearances in 2010 and '11.

Hamilton batted .285 with 43 homers and 128 RBIs in an inconsistent 2012 season that didn't finish well; a vision problem caused him to miss five games, he struggled offensively and committed a costly error in the AL West-deciding loss to Oakland.

RemyredJeter · 12-13-2012, 03:20 PM

I hope they can give him the same support system he had in Texas because now he is in LALA land.

Lily Granderson · 12-13-2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RemyredJeter

I hope they can give him the same support system he had in Texas because now he is in LALA land.

He's a headcase. There were fans who wanted him in NY.

Southern California just spending money like crazy. They didn't even need another outfielder. They let Torii Hunter go because they had 4. Now they have 4 again.

It would be nice if we could make some moves though. Hal's acting like he's on an episode of 'Extreme Couponing'. It's gonna be a shitty year...

Donna Meagle · 12-13-2012, 03:49 PM

He will fall off the wagon hard. LA is no place for an addict who can't keep it together in Dallas.

Jerrica Benton · 12-13-2012, 05:57 PM

This is the second year in a row that the Angels have signed the top free agent position player on the market. Both the Angels and the Dodgers are spending money like it's going out of style.

techmobro · 12-13-2012, 06:05 PM

as a rangers' fan, i'm shocked that a team that sees us so often a year would throw that much money at a guy that they know has self imposed demons that effect his play.

it's kind of funny with all of the money being thrown around in socal, that the best team in CA, is and probably will be for a while, is the giants.