Long-time reader, first time posting though, so bear with me.

I know that a lot of people feel that Hamilton will be gone next season. But I just saw this article in another post that Dark Reins put up about Gentry and it made me think about Hamilton being back next year.

"Two rival executives tell CBS Sports' Scott Miller that they think Hamilton will re-sign with Texas. “As long as Hamilton is willing to take a shorter contract, and I think he’s going to be forced into that," said one NL executive."

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/rangers-links-hamilton-greinke-raburn-martin.html

Assuming Hamilton comes back, why don't the Rangers use him as a DH? It seems like it would allow him to get more rest, which might prevent injuries, and help him focus solely on hitting. Is this something that would make sense? if not, what are the reasons?

If the Rangers did this, they could use a platoon of Gentry/Murphy in CF. Thoughts?

TL;DR move Hamilton to DH, use Gentry/Murphy in center.

I actually think he profiles better as a 1B. Clearly he has the bat for it, he's tall and left-handed, and I think he's less likely to get hurt there. I think I read that he doesn't want to move positions, but I could see him working out okay there. And I don't want Murphy playing CF. This year he was excellent in LF, but I don't think he can hold down CF. This is the year to let Martin show if he's got it or not; he gets the platoon with Gentry job in CF. Leave Murphy in LF.

I've decided that if we do get Josh back, for whatever reason, I think I would prefer him not be a full-time OF. His defense in CF is terrible, and it's getting worse in LF. A move to 1B seems like an experiment that could work out, but Wash probably wouldn't go for it. I don't see him shaking up things that much.

Then again, I still think there's a > 75% chance he signs elsewhere, anyway.

No matter what AAV and # of year contract Hamilton ends up signing, it will simply be FAR to expensive for a DH. Until someone becomes a complete liability in the field (read: Vladdy, Ortiz, Butler, MY) they need to have a real position.

If Hamilton has to settle for a 4 year deal it is very likely he will still play a passable LF by the end of that term. If it goes to 6-7, the outlook becomes murkier

The problem with wanting to use Hamilton as a DH is that, and this is purely conjecture, he most likely will be resistant to a position change, particularly one where he doesn't play the field. Guys don't sign big contracts to be a DH. And if we were to spring this idea on Josh after he signs? That's just lying to the guy, which is bad business (see Miami Marlins).

I would love to sign Hamilton for a DH price and stick him there. It's just not going to happen, that's all.

Who would pay $20M+/yr for a DH? Murphy in CF isn't happening. But he should get plenty of playing time along with Gentry and Martin.

I could see Josh moving to 1B or DH but that's at least 4 years away.

Other than the fact that Ron Washington likes to mess with the lineup to make things worse defensively than they need to be:

Why not a Gentry/Martin platoon in CF, Hamilton in LF, Murphy to RF, and Cruz to DH? Doesn't that max out the Rangers' defensive OF potential without sacrificing offense?

Big_Al, welcome to the world of posting trivialities and getting your lunch handed to you. No but seriously though, I'm kidding.

Besides the fact that paying $20M-$25M AAV for a DH would be laughable, it really just comes down to maximizing value. Right now, Hamilton is a slightly below average defensive center fielder, and above average in left. He still runs pretty well, but over the course of his expected contract, that will decline, so being a DH could be in his plans, but likely not until he's in his age-35 or age-36 season.

Last year, the best DH in the American League was Billy Butler, and he generated a little over 3.0 WAR. He produced a wRC+ of 140, exactly the same as Hamilton, and a wOBA of .377 (compared to Hamilton's slightly better .387).

The fact of the matter is, if Hamilton was a DH, he'd basically be costing the team about one win over the course of the season than if he was playing LF, for instance. If he's making $25M AAV, you're asking him to produce 5.5 fWAR/year over the course of his deal, and he'd have to put up consistent 50 homer seasons to get that type of output at designated hitter. It's just not realistic.

Then again, I see a <2% chance he returns to Texas. I don't care what two rival executives said. I think the Rangers have already moved on.

I agree with Andy, the only position move I would like to see if Josh returns is to be at 1B. That would put our best players in the lineup most of the time and he would still hold his value WAR wise. Frankly, I'm surprised it hasn't been brought up much this offseason. He must be pretty bullish about staying in the OF.

Josh has really bad gas and likes CF because it is isolated. At 1B he could gas the base runners and tag them as they stagger off base. Bet ya didn't know that.

No but seriously though, I'm kidding.

You're awesome.

Wait....Josh is a defensive liability now? Not sure if this is being based on the dropped fly in the A's game, but Josh is far from a bad outfielder

Used to be good, but last season his UZR per Fangraphs was -15.5. Maybe it was the Red Bull.