Nolan Ryan warns that Hamilton may not be affordable to Rangers

[Joseph]

Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan testified at the team's bankruptcy hearing Wednesday that financial pressures probably won't allow the team to keep Josh Hamilton after his contract runs out at season's end, according to the Dallas Morning News.

"I don't know that I want to be there [if] Josh Hamilton doesn't come back next year," testified Ryan, who is part of a $575 million bid to buy the team.

He also testified that the cash shortage has affected the way the team approaches trades and forced it to shut down a summer league farm team it had in the Dominican Republic.

Outfielder Hamilton is hitting .353 with 23 homers this season.

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Sounds like a LF in need of a home next season.

[alexad]

Would he come back to the Reds? Just saying...

[Tornon]

Would he come back to the Reds? Just saying...

I'm sure he would.. just a matter of how much money that'd cost

[Joseph]

I'd wager Ryan is just being dramatic in all honesty, but it would be interesting to see none the less.

[TheNext44]

Offer them Herrera

[HokieRed]

Wonder if they'd listen to an offer of Volquez?

[BCubb2003]

And bring back the Narrons.

[CTA513]

Rangers should close up shop if they can't afford him.

[Unassisted]

Rangers should close up shop if they can't afford him.

I'll bet the Astros would take him off of their hands.

[Matt700wlw]

Bring him back and keep Volquez! Winner: Reds!

[KronoRed]

If the Rangers can't afford him neither can the Reds.

But of course they can afford him, this is bankruptcy court BS.

[corkedbat]

I'd lay out more for Hamilton that I would have for Lee. Adding Hamilton to the middle of the lineup would be the type of addition that could put us over the top.

Is he a FA after this season? If so, I'd offer him arbitration and take the picks when he turns us down. If he isn't, I deal him to the BoSox the Yanks or the ChiSox in the off season if we can't afford him. It almost assuredly won't happen, but I'd do everything possible to see that it did.

[oregonred]

Isn't Hamilton under Rangers control through the 2012 season?

[KronoRed]

Isn't Hamilton under Rangers control through the 2012 season?

Yep, he's just arbitration eligible this off season.

[Caveat Emperor]

It's kind of a non-issue -- if the Rangers, playing in one of the biggest media markets (Dallas - Fort Worth), can't afford to bring back a guy who is top-5 in all three Triple Crown categories, then they'd probably be better off shutting down MLB operations and taking up some other business.

He's the kind of guy you have to keep -- they'd paid a lot of talent (Volquez) to get him, and they need to build around his bat.