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Say hey, baseball: Josh Hamilton trade a low-risk move for Rangers
Saturday morning’s baseball includes the Rangers’ re-acquisition of Josh Hamilton, Chris Sale banging on the clubhouse door of the Royals post-brawl and the crazy new turf surface of the Rogers Centre. Subscribe for your daily Say Hey!
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The fiasco with the Los Angeles Angels and Josh Hamilton appears to be coming to an end soon, as the team is reportedly close to dealing the slugger back to the Texas Rangers. The divorce seemed inevitable after the Angels ostracized Hamilton in the media after the outfielder had a drug relapse, but the move back to Texas will create a much better situation for the 33-year-old. Hamilton has had a rough year, filing for divorce in late February from his wife of 10 years.
The move for Jon Daniels and company is not a huge risk. The Rangers will be on the hook for just $15 million over the last three years of the contract and will reportedly not send a player to Los Angeles, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. For Hamilton, getting back to hitting in Globe Life Park in Arlington, a ballpark seemingly built for left-handed sluggers, will prove to be a benefit for the offensive statistics.
It wasn’t long ago that Hamilton was one of the most dynamic offensive players in all of baseball. During his time with the Rangers, Hamilton hit .305/.363/.549 and averaged 28 home runs, 101 RBI and 31 doubles a year. Hamilton will be out for some time as he continues to rehab a shoulder injury, but will return to a relatively crowded outfield situation in Texas. One can only hope for Hamilton that a return to his old surroundings will be a benefit to his physical and mental well-being.
- In a season where drama continues to find the Royals, reports from Chicago said that White Sox ace Chris Sale, who was ejected after the fight during Thursday night’s game, banged on the door of the visitor’s clubhouse in the eighth inning, an inning after the brawl took place. When asked about the incident, Sale declined comment.
- Alex Rodriguez has taken on many faces in the eyes of fans throughout his career, but he’s also played the role of a variety of different sports media stereotypes.
- Scott Boras has some pretty crazy, radical ideas for baseball, but how far out there are his thoughts, exactly?
- Following the report that the Baltimore Orioles (albeit briefly) considered forfeiting the last game of the series at the Rogers Centre against the Toronto Blue Jays because the new turf surface, the question needs to be asked: how much is the fake grass really affecting play?
- Ian Desmond has some ugly defensive errors at shortstop so far this season, but how much will the current defensive yips affect his pending free agency?
- Everyone appreciates a good pinch hitter, but who are the best-ever at the art form?
- We’re only a couple weeks into the new baseball season, but there are some emerging races that could prove to be entertaining throughout the course of the season.
- With Jeffrey Loria leading the way, the Miami Marlins appear to be continuing their trend of taking a step forward and a hundred steps backwards.
- Dusty Baker, who the Diamondbacks considered for their managerial opening this past offseason, is hoping to lead a team once again.
- Bartolo Colon has been exceptionally awesome on the baseball field this season beyond just the pitcher’s mound. Colon is a national treasure.
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