Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton self-reported a relapse of his drug and alcohol addiction to the team in February and while the team still seems upset, he wasn't suspended by Major League Baseball.
Angels owner Arte Moreno says team protected in Josh Hamilton contract, per reports
Angels owner Arte Moreno told reporters on Friday that the team put language in Josh Hamilton’s contract that protected them against a relapse and that they might pursue action against their outfielder, who reported a relapse in February.
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Hamilton has three years and $83 million remaining on his contract, a five-year, $125 million deal signed in December 2012. Owner Arte Moreno met with reporters on Friday night before the Angels' home opener against the Kansas City Royals in Anaheim.
Arte Moreno indicated the Angels put separate language in Josh Hamilton’s contract concerning a potential relapse, and they may act on it.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 11, 2015
Moreno says Angels have separate language in Hamilton's contract vs relapse and they may try to enforce it.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 11, 2015
Arte Moreno said #Angels had language in contract that allowed recourse if Hamilton drank or used drugs, hinted they're pursuing action.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) April 11, 2015
Moreno, asked if he can say Hamilton will play another game with #Angels: "I will not say that."
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 11, 2015
But that differs from what Moreno has said in the past. For instance, this was when the contract was signed.
Arte Moreno: Hamilton contract contains no special language protecting #Angels from relapse, aside from usual MLB drug policy language.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 15, 2012
Hamilton’s salary in 2015 is $23 million, some portion of which the Angels would not have had to pay depending on how long Hamilton might have been suspended, but he wasn’t.
On April 3 an arbitrator ruled that Hamilton did not violate the terms of his treatment program established by baseball’s joint drug agreement, and thus couldn’t be suspended by commissioner Rob Manfred.
The Angels in a statement that day said they “have serious concerns about Josh’s conduct, health and behavior and we are disappointed that he has broken an important commitment which he made to himself, his family, his teammates and our fans. We are going to do everything possible to assure he receives proper help for himself and for the well-being of his family.”
It’s worth noting that Manfred didn’t like the decision either, seeing this as a loophole to be closed going forward in talks with the MLB Players Association.
“The Office of the Commissioner disagrees with the decision, and will seek to address deficiencies in the manner in which drugs of abuse are addressed under the Program in the collective bargaining process,” said an April 3 statement from MLB.
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