Joe McDonnell ‏@joeontheradio
According to MLB source the Angels are in SERIOUS negotiations with Josh Hamilton. No deal has been reached as of yet.

This is the guy that broke the Pujols news and other major headlines. Could they just be trying to drive his price up??

You hear that? That's the sound of Ranger hysteria. Panic button has now been hit.

But really, I just think they're having fun making us sweat.

I doubt this is real. they are still paying Wells 24 million (I think) they have Pujols, CJ and Weaver and they just let Grienkie walk so if they were going to spend 20 to 25 million a yr on a player I think it would have been Grienkie not Hammy. But the Angels have been stupid with money before.

Their outfield is full with Wells, Trout, Bourjous and Trumbo where would they play him? if he signed there he wouldn't be an everyday player you don't pay the kind of money Hammy wants to have him be a platoon player.

Yeah, I think it's just an example of a team trying to run up the price on a FA. But its scary if for no other reason because they have a history of making stealth moves. Vlad, Pujols... etc etc.

Dont forget their 17 year, 3 billion dollar tv deal kicks in this year. I think they may view Wells as a sunk cost.. they could be moving Morales who will be a FA after this year and sliding Trumbo to DH? Or Maybe one of their Ofers is being moved for a pitcher?

Olney tweets Angels "big move" includes Hamilton, Bourn, Sanchez, and Swisher as possibilities.

Fuck. Olney, Newberg, and others have taken the report and/or added to it. This really is the panic button. Anyone but the Angels Josh... Unfortunately this is what Josh does, drive us crazy.

Defensively, a Trout, Bourjos, Bourn outfield would be pretty impressive range-wise.

They could be hoping that a lower AAV on a longer term contract would get him to sign (maybe something in the 6/115 range) and then trade Bourjous for pitching as they still have a big need there. The more likely "big signing" hinted at would seem to be Sanchez though as the rotation is still their greatest area of weakness. Still, either of those signings would make them a much scarier team to go against next season so my hope is that their big signing is handing Lohse 4/60 or something like that.

Brian, "pretty impressive" is an understatement. If I could take Hamilton to play LF for $25M or Bourn to play CF for $15M, I take Bourn for the Rangers every time.

What do you want with Bourn when we have Gentry and Martin?

Last year, for example, Gentry had as good or better rates as Bourn in wRC+, wOBA, and UZR/150. Bourn did steal more bases, though. A lot more. He also played a lot more, but still.

I'm not very interested in Bourn.

Lets just roll out a Bourn, Elvis, Profar, Kinsler, Gentry and Martin lineup and steal 200+ bags...

Andy, it's the question of whether Gentry and Martin can do what Bourn has already proven capable of: getting on base and stealing bases consistently. The defense is about equal, as you indicated, but it's a matter of who's proven it and whose sample sizes are too small to extrapolate over the next 4-5 years. I'd rather have a Murphy-Bourn-Gentry outfield with Martin as the 4th guy than Murphy-Gentry-Martin with Cruz as the reserve RF. If Murphy leaves next year, I strongly consider a Martin-Bourn-Gentry OF. I know they wouldn't hit many dingers, but they could certainly defend and run the bases.

I'm not saying that's the ideal way to go, but it wouldn't be a bad option.

Stefen, you may have been being facetious, but I wouldn't mind that at all. Factor in, too, that having a SB threat on the bases makes life a little easier for the hitter, too.

Andy, one other thing: Bourn and Hamilton have roughly the same average WAR the past three seasons. Admittedly, I don't know all the ins and outs of WAR, but my analysis beyond that seems to indicate a total offensive and defensive contribution (in CF, anyway) that isn't all that much different. Statheads, feel free to enlighten me.

Angels= Stupid.
Sooo, it could definately happen, considering Hamilton steals fans back to LAA,
over thier city rivals LAD Hollywood Story. After all, it's still La La La Candyland.
Get ready for the Bigtime Show.

Jesus H.(amilton) Christ!!!

It's probably 50/50 if LA is messing with us or being serious. If Josh thought Rangers fans booed him before... I can't even imagine the volume of RBiA if he takes the field in an Angels uniform in 2013.

I should add that my argument for Bourn as a Hamilton-replacement isn't based solely on stats but also on my concerns about how Josh could meltdown over the course of his deal.

This is another reason I've never been on board with the "AL West is weak so let's just stand pat" crowd." That argument is based on the assumption that the Angels will stand pat. The Angels are loaded and willing to spend. I just don't see them standing pat. And they won 89 games last year despite not having Trout the full year, Pujols having a bumpy transition, Wilson being injured, and Haren having a bad year. Anyone who thinks the Rangers are competitive as is is fooling themselves in my opinion.

If this happens, I hope Elvis enjoys AZ.

It's a done deal.

FUCK YOU JD.

Arizona doesn't want or need Andrus anymore. It's over!

why would AZ trade Upton now? Towers got his man already. this whole "in JD we trust" bit is starting to get old. it's becoming pretty obvious that nobody wants to trade with him. and before you all start saying "lay off the panic button", i'm not panicking. i'm starting to become indifferent.

The panic button is definitely pushed as far as Iam concerned. Because you have to think if they really are close on deal, Josh already called the Rangers and they neglected it. THis is bad boys. We are relyign on Martin to man Josh's old position in center and he is not even in our Top 20 prospects list!!!! Wow, how the mighty are falling. Oh well at least we will have fun watching the kids play this year.

Martin and Gentry have combined for 1 HR in their major league careers. Washington is not a fan of either. Going to be a tough watch with this lineup next year unless we get a power bat somewhere.