Josh Hamilton a Red

[Redus]

The Cubs took him 3rd in the rule 5 to trade to us as it was prearranged for cash considerations. The former overall 1st pick of the D-Rays trying to make it back from drug suspensions.

[TOBTTReds]

This is a great move. Do you have a link? I didn't realize they traded him to the Reds.

[Highlifeman21]

Originally Posted by Redus

The Cubs took him 3rd in the rule 5 to trade to us as it was prearranged for cash considerations. The former overall 1st pick of the D-Rays trying to make it back from drug suspensions.

If this is true, I'm a huge fan of this.

Josh Hamilton still has a bunch of talent.

You have to be excited about a potential OF of Dunn, Bruce and Hamilton.

I wonder what we're sending to the Cubs, if this is the case.

Although I'm suddenly remembering that I thought you couldn't trade Rule V guys, or else they'd return to their original team....

Someone help me out here.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

This is a great move. Do you have a link? I didn't realize they traded him to the Reds.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/tra...aspx?sport=MLB

"Cubs selected outfielder Josh Hamilton from the Devil Rays with the third pick in the Rule 5 draft.

Baseball America is reporting that he'll be traded to the Reds. They can take a look at him, but it's highly unlikely that they'll keep him. The 25-year-old Hamilton played in just 15 games in his comeback season, hitting .260/.327/.360 in the Midwest League. Prior to that, he hadn't played in a game since 2002. It's not very likely that he'll have a career in the majors, and he certainly isn't ready now."

[Redus]

Cash considerations. got to root for the kid. I saw a long thing about him last summer. He's battled back hard from addiction.

[Team Clark]

The Reds will end up keeping him. He may be offered back but more than likely he will be refused IMO. I have no doubt that the Rays feel a change of scenery will further his efforts. His comeback from addiction is nothing short of miraculous. Good luck Josh.

[shredda2000]

Here's to his future in a Reds uniform!!!

[camisadelgolf]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...tm?POE=SPOISVA

I saw Hamilton and his wife's family interviewed on television (I believe he no longer has connections to his immediate family), and they said they would escort Hamilton for pretty much every single thing he does for possibly the rest of his life because his addiction is so terrible. It was really sad, but at the same time, it looked like he was finally coming to terms with the fact that he's an addict, and he may never have the strength to battle addiction on his own.

[reds44]

Awesome. Hopefully we can get this kid to turn his life aorund.

[osuceltic]

Can you imagine a worse profession to pursue when battling that kind of problem? Maybe professional musician. I mean, the travel, the hours, the isolation, the money, the easy access ... what a terrible environment for someone with a serious addiction.

[TeamBoone]

December 7, 2006

Hamilton Headlines Active Rule 5
By Chris Kline

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.--Two days ago, a scout from a National League club alluded to Josh Hamilton as a possible Rule 5 pick.

But even he didn’t sound serious.

“I could see it maybe . . . the tools are still there for the most part,” he said. “But that’s a major gamble--we’re talking serious risk assessment.”

The Reds took that gamble Thursday, as the Cubs chose Hamilton with the third pick in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft and traded the first overall pick in 1999 to Cincinnati for cash considerations.

“We felt like he had the best tools in the draft and he was worth the gamble,” Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. “There are certain obstacles, obviously. But we wouldn’t have taken him if we felt he couldn’t overcome them, and the upside is still there at his age.”

Hamilton played just 15 games at short-season Hudson Valley last season and was shut down in late July due to knee surgery to remove scar tissue. That surgery was the latest in a litany of injuries that have plagued Hamilton over his career.

But the substance abuse problems were even more glaring. Prior to this season, Hamilton spent all of 2003 on the restricted list, then missed the next two years after being suspended by Major League Baseball for multiple violations of the game’s substance abuse policy.

Hamiton was cleared by MLB to play again in late June, declaring he had been clean since October 2005. When he made his return to the Renegades this past summer, it was the first time Hamilton took the field since 2002.

The Reds did not see Hamilton in the New York-Penn League, but senior director of scouting Chris Buckley followed him through instructional league, and the organization took a shot on him based on the fact that he seemingly has cleaned up his life and--of course--the raw tools.

“Hopefully we can keep him and get him as many at-bats in winter ball as possible,” Krivsky said. “He has some catching up to do and we’re going to do everything we can as an organization to support him. Being the athlete that he is, those guys tend to make better adjustments faster than your average player.

"We hope he looks at this as a fresh start and feels good about himself--which he should--and his career could take off and get headed in the right direction. I know I’m getting ahead of myself a little bit, but we’re just very excited about having him as part of the Cincinnati Reds organization.”

Another excited front office official is Marlins vice president of player personnel Dan Jennings, who scouted and ultimately drafted Hamilton in 1999.

“I like where he is now, and I love what he could still become,” Jennings said. “The upside has always been there, and I know I’ll be rooting for him with this change of scenery and really, the chance to finally prove he can be a major league player.”

Hamilton, who spoke to reporters in a telephone interview, sounded eager for a change of scenery and an opportunity. "I'm not really concerned. Baseball has never been the problem . . . " he said. "I've been working out, and I can guarantee I will be in the best shape of my life when spring training comes."

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today...ws/262983.html

[Redsnake]

The potential this kid had or maybe still has in worth the risk. I really like this move! Who knows, maybe the Reds got there "Johan Santana Rule 5 player" like the Twins got.

[noskill27]

I don't like the move. Someone who's been in and out of rehab EIGHT times since 2003 isn't worth the risk even if he turns out to be the next Babe Ruth.

[texasdave]

Originally Posted by reds44

Awesome. Hopefully we can get this kid to turn his life aorund.

maybe we can bring back Toe Nash to be his mentor.

[Always Red]

Originally Posted by Redsnake

The potential this kid had or maybe still has in worth the risk. I really like this move! Who knows, maybe the Reds got there "Johan Santana Rule 5 player" like the Twins got.

This is the part that raised red flags for me, and may come back to haunt...

Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said he got a scouting report from manager Jerry Narron's brother...