Thursday
Feb102011
Hamilton Signs Two-Year Deal; Michael Young Trade "Not Likely"
Joey MatschulatThe Rangers will announce that Josh Hamilton has signed a two-year deal later this afternoon.
The 2010 AL MVP was the Rangers only remaining unresolved arby case.
Details of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Update: Per MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan; a "high probability" exists that the Rangers will not trade Michael Young, apparently due to the size of the salary commitment and the Rangers' refusal to back down from their asking price.
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Reader Comments (37)
Im hearing its 24 million.
"The Rangers will announce at a 3:00 press conference that they have agreed to terms with Josh Hamilton on a two-year contract, avoiding arbitration not only for the 2011 season but for 2012 (his final arb season) as well. Terms have not been disclosed, but several local sources and Sports Illustrated writer Jon Heyman tweet that two-year deal is for $24 million."
Good for Josh. I'm glad we have him locked up through 2012 and that they avoided going to arbitration. I hope we have him around past 2012 though.
I know it is premature, but what are the chances the Rangers try to lock him up long term from free agency? Is he worth it? I'll take two years for $24mil any day, but not so sure about 5 or six years at $200mil or more.
@Rangerbourne Hamilton will never get one of those 8+ year mega deals. I'm guessing if the Rangers and him work out a longer term extension you are probably looking at a 5 year deal for somewhere around 80 million with an option year for 20.
I don't think Hamilton wants to sign that just now so I doubt it gets done.
Thank God, michael who?
By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News
Published 10 February 2011 01:08 PM
More on this storyJosh Hamilton: Trading Young part of 'the business'
How Hamilton helped a teammate off the field
Rangers' Josh Hamilton is the American League MVP
Josh Hamilton's career stats
The Rangers have avoided arbitration with Josh Hamilton, agreeing to a two-year deal that will carry him to free agency. Terms have not yet been released, but according to a tweet from SI.com's Jon Heyman, Hamilton will earn $24 million over the next two years. Hamilton, the AL MVP, was set to go to an arbitration hearing on Monday after requesting $12 million from the Rangers while the club had countered with $8.7 million. The agreement with Hamilton eliminates the possibility of an arbitration hearing for the 11th straight year for the club.
THis is great! The Rangers avoid going to arb this year and next.
The Rangers (and the fans) have two years to evaluate Hamilton's ability to hold up once he hits FA status. IMO, the real kicker will not be his performance, but how many games he plays in each of the next two years.
However, his comments about loyalty to the player's union leads me to conclude that we should enjoy him while we have him.
Daniels continues to "Improve the Team"~ Good timing.
A much needed Good News press, from the Texas Org
If the Rangers had played hardball and forced hearings this season and next, they might have saved some money. But in my mind they really were hoping their lower $8.7M offer this yr might spur Hambone to reach for some security for his family and accept a 3 or 4-yr deal in the $12M AAV range. This deal really makes it likely Josh walks away in 2013, IMO.
If a long term deal is finally reached, I think it will only come from another hot start by Josh that forces JD to go 5 yrs and $100M. Otherwise, Josh is going to probably see what the market can bear.
I hope that if Josh stays healthy and productive this season, we try to lock him up for 4-5 years during the next offseason. It may be a far fetched hope, but I really don't want to see Hamilton become a free agent.
Hamilton: $7.25 mm in 2011, $13.75 mm in 2012. $3 mm signing bonus
To clarify, I think JD did as well as he could without selling the farm on a long term deal. Josh isn't likely right now to take less than Beltre got, both in $ figures and yrs. He's taking a real risk that he can stay healthy long enough to reach free agency. But the upside is that he might hit it for a HUGE number once he finally gets out on the open market.
I don't think I've ever heard a player say he owes it to the players union to go for all he can get rather than give a team a hometown discount. Interesting take by Josh. Has anyone heard that thinking articulated similarly before?
I certainly wish Hammy all the best of success and the rewards that come with it.
Well scooby it looks like the FO jumped the gun by announcing Hamilton contract before trading MY.
@dude in UK - I haven't heard the "loyalty to the players union" talk from actual players; however, I have heard that there seems to be real pressure from the union to follow the money. Most of the people that seem to make claims of this sort are people on the periphery of the game who are usually trustworthy. Keep in mind that the MLBPA is widely considered one of the strongest unions in the country. I don't know that loyalty to the union means he won't sign an extension before he hits free agency; however, it does appear that if he does, there will be no home-town discount. What that means for his place on this team after 2012, I have no clue.
MY is looking to be headed to Colorado: http://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/35830622991687680
Garrett: did you even read Olney's tweet? It's anything but what you say it is -
"It feels like a game of chicken between TEX and COL over Michael Young. Both know the deal they want -- and we'll see if either side blinks."
That's not anything new, and that's definitely not saying a deal has been struck.
It seems like the Rangers have to blink first. MY killed the team's leverage. It would be nice if they traded MY and then went after Liriano
Repost because it's funnah:
"According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Dodgers asked the Rangers to assume 75 percent of Michael Young's remaining contract during trade talks this week.
In other words, the Dodgers wanted Texas to eat $36 million of the three years and $48 million left on Young's current deal."
I would have to think JDs got a few more irons in the fire. No way he's only talking to the Rockies... and no way they are the only team asking about MY.
IMO, despite his defensive limitations, he seems best suited for a NL team. He makes alot of sense in Chicago and St. Louis, and the Astros need a PR lift after losing Berkman (man they suck... and Houston is disgusting... out of spite alone I hope MY ends up there).
He also makes sense in San Fran, with the Dodgers.
I'm not sure what any of those teams have to offer but my point is there's talk going on that we're not privy to. There's no way JD would paint himself in a corner by only negotiating with 1 team. He's learned his lesson and is too savvy.
I GUARANTEE you MY will be traded by Spring Training. For what, I have no idea but does that even matter at this point?
As I've said on here 3 or 4 times now, I think MY to Houston for Carlos Lee makes a ton of sense. They make the same $$$ and the Rangers could pay 1/2 of MY's last year (Lee is only signed through 2012) to get it done.
I would love it if one of the more knowledgable guys on here (Dave H. maybe?) broke down that trade scenario and explained the pros/cons to adding Lee... or provided a scouting report on him... but it can't just say "he's fat".
@ Pablo, read this and pick up some knowledge: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/michael-young-for-carlos-lee-makes-sense/
And yes, it does make sense for the Rangers, and it helps the 'Stros by letting Brett Wallace have a chance to play.
Scooby,
Just curious, what are you going to say, feel, if MY is not traded and he stays for another year?
Joe
Scooby,
Did you hear the rediculous rumor from LA that the Dodgers wanted us to pick up 36 million.
I was hoping we could trade Borbon, Young, cash, and one other guy (hunter?) for Kemp.
I guess they aren't interested or JD isn't offering.
Joe
I don't want Carlos Lee.
Joe,
You realize your user name is on every one of your posts without you needing to type it right? Oh that's right, you only extra post your name when you are trolling...
Rodney
Rodney
Rodney,
I'm not trolling. I'm being genuine in my questions to Scooby.
I never troll Rodney and I almost always sign my name, I like the personal touch.
Joe
You know? I would be ok with paying that much of Young's contract in a package if we got a player like Kemp. Maybe that's just me but this is getting ridiculous.
Joey,
I've been on this site for almost a year and I make it on two to three times a day. Over the past three weeks it has become a nightmare from certain people abusing their privileges. I cannot take more hostility and more monotonous drivel.
The site isn't good anymore when someone cannot state their opinion and then just let it float and move on. It's seems like there's a group of people locked in someone's basement where they have nonstop internet access while all using the same pen name.
The forum topics have also been controlled by the same dominate participant. It has quickly come a point where it's him (them) or me because this insanity has taken the site in a downward spiral like the flush of a toilet.
Thanks for the good work and for giving me a comprehensive site to enjoy during my time here and through that memorable World Series run. My best to those that also made me think a bit harder like Scooby, Pablo, UK dude and the many others.
Go Rangers...............
I initially thought MY was going to be traded but as more time goes by I am beginning to doubt it.
I would be okay with MY staying although I would much, much rather see Napoli/Murphy platoon (HUGE Murph fan). With Wash writing the lineup, I tend to doubt it coming to fruition though in the case MY is moved.
Aside: I think its kind of funny that MY = Spider Arias (replacing him as one of the two backup IFs.) [I always thought Arias presented himself like Waluigi from the Mario games.]
David, thanks for making me laugh (paragraph 2).
Arnie (Wisconsonian in Texas)
Joe,
You sure are a good typer for such a little fella. Like your mom said, you'll find another favorite Ranger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6-ks_UP988&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sincerely,
Austin
I vote that JD had this all figured from the beginning of the off-season. MY and whatever the hell else it takes to Phillies for Cliff Lee again. BOOM.
Anic,
Thanks for an awesome laugh. O. my. gosh. that was hilarious.
Joe
site isn't good anymore when someone cannot state their opinion and then just let it float and move on Kitchen Appliances.
Seriously watch this people, it is hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6-ks_UP988&feature=youtube_gdata_player
No more MY? He not gonna be my team anymore. (Takes of hat and drops it in the floor)
SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE MIKEY!
Thanks Anic, Joe I hope you see the error of your ways manifested in a three year old boy.
Less than 1 week till p&c report!
LIRIANO~ a BETTER Choice for Daniels
Get the communication going w/TWINS.
I'd like to see some ORG talks on LIRIANO...
as WE brought up yesterday, here at BBTiA.
Michael Young, after 19th is not a good thought