Josh Hamilton to Sign With the Los Angeles Angels: Five Years, $125 Million

All, Baseball Jason Lisk December 13th. 2012, 2:30pm

Josh Hamilton has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Angels, according to ESPN Dallas. This marks the second year in a row that the Angels have made the biggest splash in the free agency market, signing Hamilton a year after adding Albert Pujols. Early reports are that it is a five year deal for $125 million.

In May, when he was hot and the rage as the MVP, I wrote: “Personally, I would set his price at about $110 to 120 million for five years, but I would lose that bid to a team wanting to make a splash.”

Hamilton will now also be playing for a division rival of the Rangers. All’s fair in love, war, and baseball. This move also opens the possibility of a trade for Los Angeles. With Hamilton and MVP runner up Mike Trout in the outfield, Peter Bourjos or Mark Trumbo become attractive trade pieces.

[photo via USA Today Sports Images]

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53 Responses to “Josh Hamilton to Sign With the Los Angeles Angels: Five Years, $125 Million”

1
SouvenirCity Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:33 PM
Thanks, Jason.
2
I'm a Horse Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:33 PM
Damn. Not sure what I think of this yet, but shit they better score some runs this year.
3
phillymantis915 Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:33 PM
They need to cut Vernon Wells post haste. Arte is a ninja.
4
MP III Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:34 PM
man, the rangers have just whiffed this offseason.
5
Cowboy Mike's Old Original Red Hot Ricochet Barbeque Sauce Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:34 PM
RELAPSE AHOY!
6
ButtersBC Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:34 PM
If the Astros don’t lose 120 games their manager should win all the awards
7
KC Resident Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:34 PM
Good article on how UCONN is fucked (otherwise known as the blowing up of the Big East.)
8
s1rweeze Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:34 PM
Can’t wait til Oakland somehow finishes with a better record next year.
9
ButtersBC Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:35 PM
man, the rangers have just whiffed this offseason.
Five years seems too risky for him, I think they’re right in not matching/surpassing this offer
10
I'm a Horse Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:35 PM
They need to cut Vernon Wells post haste. Arte is a ninja.
I think they try to ditch his contract on someone probably in a Bourjos trade.
I really really hope they don’t give up on Trumbo. It’s probably more emotional than anything, but he’s one of my favorites.
11
Billy Buckner Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:36 PM
If they’d like us (the O’s) to take Mike Trout off their hands to make some room in the outfield, I, for one, would be more than happy to oblige.
12
BearPower Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:37 PM
man, the rangers have just whiffed this offseason.
I’m hoping and assuming that is sarcastic. This is a great deal for the Rangers- it saddles their biggest AL West competition with yet another bad contract. It’ll be fun paying Pujols and Hamilton a combined $50 million in 2017 when the both suck ass.
13
SouvenirCity Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:37 PM
With Hamilton and MVP runner up Mike Trout in the outfield, Peter Bourjos or Mark Trumbo become attractive trade pieces.
Of great importance to those of us that are fans of non-contenders in the National League. I would really like to see the Cubs go after either guy. Trumbo can be tried at 3B again and if it doesn’t work, he’s a corner OF. I would love Bourjos because his cost would be significantly lower.
14
rockchalk101 Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Unreal.
15
The Wayne Fontes Safari Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Your move Dave Dombrowski…
16
I'm a Horse Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:38 PM
I’m hoping and assuming that is sarcastic. This is a great deal for the Rangers- it saddles their biggest AL West competition with yet another bad contract. It’ll be fun paying Pujols and Hamilton a combined $50 million in 2017 when the both suck ass.
You know who thinks this way ? Teams who have resigned themselves to losing this year.
17
s1rweeze Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
Your move Dave Dombrowski…
He made his move, he signed 99 year old Torii Hunter.
18
somewhereoverthedwaynebowe Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
If the Astros don’t lose 120 games their manager should win all the awards
How many times do they play Seattle?
19
PeerLessPrices Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
five year deal for $125 million
Yikes.
man, the rangers have just whiffed this offseason
I like it for their future. As much as I loved Young and how good he was for that team, gotta think about future as well. They won’t be as good, but fine
20
SouvenirCity Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
Five years seems too risky for him, I think they’re right in not matching/surpassing this offer
I don’t think Arte even gave Josh’s agent a chance to do so. Basically this was a “take it or it’s off the table” deal.
Agree it was probably right that the Rangers only offered 3-4 year deals. Now Kevin Towers can mind fuck the Rangers all season by dangling Upton. No one in the Texas system is safe now.
21
roastbeast Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
so much pressure on a team to win or be laughingstocks. yankees west
22
somewhereoverthedwaynebowe Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:40 PM
I know.. it’s not 42. But still.
23
Some Random Old Dude Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:40 PM
I would love to live in Anaheim with $25 Mike in my back pocket.
24
I'm a Horse Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
I would love to live in Anaheim with $25 Mike in my back pocket.
Trust me. You wouldn’t want to live in Anaheim.
25
Babar 2.0 Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
so much pressure on a team to win or be laughingstocks. yankees west
No…that’s the Dodgers.
26
phillymantis915 Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
Now Kevin Towers can mind fuck the Rangers all season by dangling Upton. No one in the Texas system is safe now.
I heard the asking price for JUpton is now Olt, Andrus and Buckel.
/not confirmed by me
//just throwing it out there
27
Some Random Old Dude Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
man, the rangers have just whiffed this offseason.
I thought they were expecting Olt to be the next big thing? Maybe he pulls a Trout and blossoms with regular ABs.
28
Billy Buckner Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:44 PM
If they can get Justin Upton for a package centered around Elvis Andrus, then really, the Rangers are going to be just fine.
29
Curtis the Close talker Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Too bad the yankees are broke or whatever ’cause Hamilton at 5 years is a steal.
30
I'm a Horse Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:45 PM
If they can get Justin Upton for a package centered around Elvis Andrus, then really, the Rangers are going to be just fine.
Don’t they have another SS in pipeline Profar (sp) whose supposed to be better than Andrus ?
31
SouvenirCity Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:45 PM
They need to cut Vernon Wells post haste. Arte is a ninja.
I think they try to ditch his contract on someone probably in a Bourjos trade.
This is very interesting. Good thought. Never even crossed my mind. Hope it crosses the Cubs’ brass.
32
roastbeast Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:47 PM
what, yardwork only gets 32 comments these days?
33
SouvenirCity Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:48 PM
Don’t they have another SS in pipeline Profar (sp) whose supposed to be better than Andrus ?
Unproven. He’s a top notch prospect but Andrus has been successful for 3 years at the MLB level now. I’d rather keep Profar and Andrus while trading Olt. Rangers are in win now mode, too. Beltre will last the duration of that.
34
BearPower Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:48 PM
I’m hoping and assuming that is sarcastic. This is a great deal for the Rangers- it saddles their biggest AL West competition with yet another bad contract. It’ll be fun paying Pujols and Hamilton a combined $50 million in 2017 when the both suck ass.
You know who thinks this way ? Teams who have resigned themselves to losing this year.
Really? tThe Rangers are resigned to losing this year? They’ve still got one of the five best rosters in MLB, as well as the best minor league system in baseball. I’m guessing you aren’t much of a baseball fan, or if you are, you just love the Phillies’ approach…
35
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:49 PM
I would love to live in ~~Anaheim~~ Orange County with $25 Mike in my back pocket.
Anaheim kinda sucks.
36
Some Random Old Dude Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:52 PM
Anaheim kinda sucks.
For $25M, I’ll live in Riyadh. Hell, I’d live in Mississippi…
37
SouvenirCity Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:54 PM
They’ve still got one of the five best rosters in MLB, as well as the best minor league system in baseball. I’m guessing you aren’t much of a baseball fan, or if you are, you just love the Phillies’ approach…
I may not agree with the way the Dodgers and Angels are going about trying to win a World Series, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be successful in the short term.
This is a great move for the Angels over the next 3 seasons. Considering it negative for LAA and a positive for Texas is foolish. Texas lost a big offensive cog, Anaheim’s top 5 hitters are all monsters.
And the Rangers have a great system but prospects are still prospects until they succeed in the Show.
38
Curtis the Close talker Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:56 PM
I heard the asking price for JUpton is now Olt,
Andrus
and Buckel.
Didn’t they just trade their Bauer for a SS? Seems like they know Texas won’t part with Andrus.
39
I'm a Horse Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:56 PM
Really? tThe Rangers are resigned to losing this year? They’ve still got one of the five best rosters in MLB, as well as the best minor league system in baseball. I’m guessing you aren’t much of a baseball fan, or if you are, you just love the Phillies’ approach…
I don’t know as much about baseball as most people, but I know enough to know it’s never a positive to lose your best player. To say that it’s a gain is flat out stupid. Who cares what happens five years from now ? Win something now, and all will be forgiven when you have to rebuild in due time.
40
phillymantis915 Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 2:58 PM
I’m guessing you aren’t much of a baseball fan, or if you are, you just love the Phillies’ approach…
Develop homegrown talent, sign it to team friendly extensions (Utley 7/85, Rollins 5/50) and win a World Series with said talent? Have one of the best records in baseball the past five years? That’s how you’re supposed to win and build a team. Not like the Yankees or whatever the hell the Red Sox are doing these days.
41
josh hamilton's tats Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Oh no!
42
Nada Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:05 PM
Can’t wait til Oakland somehow finishes with a better record next year
Can’t wait for Moneyball II: Mo’ Better Beane.
43
Nada Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:06 PM
For $25M, I’ll live in Riyadh. Hell, I’d live in Mississippi…
If you lived in Mississippii, you would indeed be living in Hell.
/ Wait, I mean Texas …
44
BearPower Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:06 PM
No Phillymantis, that was the Phillies’ approach. They’ve moved away from that lately, and the results have not been pretty, nor will they be. They are the new Yankees/Red Sox.
SouvCity, this is not a great move for Anaheim for the next three years (which is irrelevant anyway, since it’s a 5 yr deal). You are overpaying an injury-ridden, decline-phase player who posted 4.4 WAR last year. Jurickson Profar, who will essentially take over Hamilton’s spot in the lineup this year (he’ll play SS, Andrus 2B, Kinsler CF), will post 4 WAR at 1/90th the cost.
45
Some Random Old Dude Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:08 PM
If you lived in Mississippii, you would indeed be living in Hell.
Don’t you mess with Texas.
/izzat how it’s done?
46
SouvenirCity Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Jurickson Profar, who will essentially take over Hamilton’s spot in the lineup this year
Profar is a top prospect. He is not Josh Hamilton, even age 31 Josh Hamilton.
this is not a great move for Anaheim for the next three years
You have my attention.
(which is irrelevant anyway, since it’s a 5 yr deal).
You’re losing it.
You are overpaying an injury-ridden, decline-phase player who posted 4.4 WAR last year.
You’ve lost it.
47
SouvenirCity Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:13 PM
Years 4 & 5 could, and likely will, be problematic for Anaheim. Years 1 & 2 will still see the Angels trotting out one of the best offensive players (when healthy, which is the single seed of doubt that should be on the Angels’ minds) in baseball. Even while he’s in decline.
Josh Hamilton’s best seasons are more than likely behind him. That doesn’t all of a sudden mean that Josh Hamilton is an afterthought talent as a baseball player going forward.
48
phillymantis915 Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:17 PM
No Phillymantis, that was the Phillies’ approach. They’ve moved away from that lately, and the results have not been pretty, nor will they be. They are the new Yankees/Red Sox.
Because in order to be able to win in a hitter friendly park, you need top line starting pitching. Of the players traded for Halladay, D’Arnaud is the best and Gose is toolsy, but raw. None of the players in the Lee trade are worth anything. And if you want to pay 4 fWAR pitchres, you need to pay them $20+ mil a season.
The team’s payroll this season will be about $15 mil less than last season, and allows them to develop Brown and have cost control of Revere. The development part of the system is still there, but having low picks for 6 straight years hurts.
49
phillymantis915 Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:20 PM
Years 4 & 5 could, and likely will, be problematic for Anaheim. Years 1 & 2 will still see the Angels trotting out one of the best offensive players (when healthy, which is the single seed of doubt that should be on the Angels’ minds) in baseball.
With the value of a WAR increasing to $6 mil per WAR as well this offseason, Hamilton only needs to produce roughly 20-22 fWAR for the whole contract to be worth it. I think he can still produce 4-6 for the next two seasons, and then maybe start to decline. He will still have potentially the two of best players in baseball hitting in front of him.
50
roastbeast Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 3:23 PM
poor wwos
51
Nada Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 4:00 PM
poor wwos
Did last call finally come for Wide Word?
52
josh hamilton's tats Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Profar is the replaement for Young, not Hamilton. Jon Daniels still has work to do.
53
A.P. Says:
December 13th, 2012 at 6:31 PM
Bad contract! SUckers