Josh Hamilton has lived a hard life. This is a guy who went from top draft pick, to nearly destroying himself in a North Carolina crack house, to all-star and MVP, to watching a fan die after he throws him a ball, to one strike away from winning the World Series, to a 40 homer, 130 RBI season that ended with a playoff collapse and some harsh words from his Rangers’ boss, (a boss who also happens to be the greatest player in team history.)
In other words, Hamilton has some miles on him. And that is the only reason the Rangers didn’t lock him up to a long term deal years ago. It also explains why the Yankees and Red Sox aren’t climbing all over themselves to offer 25 million bucks a year to a 31-year old who’s averaging 33 HR’s and 110 RBI’s over the past three years, while also having one of the top WAR ratings in baseball. Whether it’s fears over what Hamilton’s years of drug abuse have done to his body, or his penchant for bizarre injuries (Red Bull overdose…really?) Hamilton is the one baseball superstar…no team seems to want. But in a few weeks someone will sign him. So let’s break down where I think he might just end up:
– BALTIMORE. After their surprising playoff run, the Orioles reportedly are ready to pony up for some offense. And they love Hamilton. The O’s believe Hamilton’s bat + the short right field porch of Camden Yards + a lineup that already features five 20 homer guys = enough fire power to finally take down the Yankees. But will Baltimore’s notoriously frugal owner Peter Angelos actually shell out the 7 Year, 175 Million dollar contract Hamilton wants?
– SEATTLE. Sources say the Mariners are planning a serious run at Hamilton. Seems like an odd fit for a team that’s been giving away its best young players of late. Plus, Safeco Field isn’t exactly as friendly to hitters as the Ballpark at Arlington. But the Mariners do have the payroll room for Hamilton and signing him would both weaken a division rival and give the Mariners their first legitimate slugging superstar since A-Rod’s younger, BALCO-free days.
– MILWAUKEE. All the talk (or type) on the net of late is that the Brewers are seriously considering a run at Hamilton. I don’t buy it. This is a team that let Prince Fielder walk last season because they wanted to free up payroll to sign a stud pitcher. So why sign a less durable, older slugger who puts up similar numbers than Fielder now? Especially when the Brewers main problem last year was, you know, getting 27 outs a game.
– ATLANTA. Call this a hunch. But Hamilton getting to play near his home in the South, on a team that may just be one player away from making a serious World Series run…it seems like a good fit. The Braves have great starting pitching and arguably the best bullpen in baseball. All they need is a guy who can put some ball in the stands. And Hamilton can definitely do that. But I also think Hamilton is better suited for the American League, where he can DH every now, in case his body needs time to recover from another Red Bull bender.
While all these teams are good fits, and could conceivably make Hamilton an offer, there is one team that stands above all as the place where Hamilton belongs:
– TEXAS. The Rangers had never won a playoff series until Hamilton came along. He’s proven he can produce in both the regular and postseason and he can hit in the clutch. In other words, Josh Hamilton is the face of the Rangers franchise. And you don’t let faces go onto another team’s body. Sure, Hamilton’s season took a nosedive in September, but I think that’s because all this contract talk (and Texas’ lack of a fair offer) started to weigh on him. He might stay and play for less in Texas.
My prediction…Josh Hamilton resigns with Texas for somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 years and $105 million.
