Angels close to deal with Josh Hamilton

[MikeThierry]

The thing about this is that I dont' think Pujols has had a hitter hitting behind him like Hamilton. Edmonds, Rolen, and Holliday were good to great hitters in their prime but Hamilton is on a different level. I think this will make Pujols more of a threat in that lineup. If he doesn't get off to the bad starts he did the past two years, Pujols could put up MVP type numbers again during the length of the Hamilton contract.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by MikeThierry

The thing about this is that I dont' think Pujols has had a hitter hitting behind him like Hamilton. Edmonds, Rolen, and Holliday were good to great hitters in their prime but Hamilton is on a different level. I think this will make Pujols more of a threat in that lineup. If he doesn't get off to the bad starts he did the past two years, Pujols could put up MVP type numbers again during the length of the Hamilton contract.

It may make him better for the time Hamilton is healthy. But that is a big question in itself.

[MikeThierry]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

It may make him better for the time Hamilton is healthy. But that is a big question in itself.

Agreed on that. Still, with the kind of money the Angels have, I think it's a risk worth taking looking at it from their standpoint.

[UKFlounder]

I thought he was looking for 7 years originally

Originally Posted by Tom Servo

Turns out it we have returned to the Aughties salary levels (Angel Pagan getting 4/40) and I was right about Hamilton.

[oneupper]

Would have never thunk the Angels after giving Pujols all that money.
Looks like they're not afraid of commitment.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by oneupper

Would have never thunk the Angels after giving Pujols all that money.
Looks like they're not afraid of commitment.

Unless you are Torii Hunter:

Torii Hunter @toriihunter48
I was told money was tight but I guess the Arte had money hidden under a Mattress. Business is business but don't lie.

[westofyou]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Unless you are Torii Hunter:

Torii Hunter @toriihunter48
I was told money was tight but I guess the Arte had money hidden under a Mattress. Business is business but don't lie.

After the Dodgers made a few moves business changed I suppose, the market likely dictated how tight those purse strings really were.

Anyway it's a contract negotiation I suppose Hunter should be aware that the other side is trying to cut deals that benefit them, hence any indication that money is tight should be taken with a grain of salt.

[OesterPoster]

Torii Hunter made over $18 million per year for the past 4 seasons. He's under contract to make another $12 million in 2013 and $14 million in 2014.

I wish I could get disrespected like that just once.

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by Chip R

True. But they weren't willing to commit to that extra year like the Angels were. They wanted him, just not bad enough.

They didn't even get a chance, though. According to Jon Daniels, they were informed that the Angels offered a fifth year and they didn't even get an opportunity to match. Perhaps they wouldn't have gone to a fifth year, but Hamilton jumped on it before the Rangers could counter.

[cincrazy]

The lineup is ridiculous... the bullpen, and ESPECIALLY the starting rotation, leaves much to be desired. Scary regular season team. Then they get into the playoffs and they're rolling out Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson.

[REDREAD]

Originally Posted by paulrichjr

I don't know because I haven't been keeping up with it but did the Rangers even try very hard to sign him? I'm just not sure they wanted him back real bad.

Well, the rumor mill said the Rangers were seriously pursuing him for what it's worth.. We'll never know that for sure, but those reports were more consistent and plentiful than the one unnamed source that claimed the Rangers wouldn't take him back for free.

[MikeThierry]

Originally Posted by cincrazy

The lineup is ridiculous... the bullpen, and ESPECIALLY the starting rotation, leaves much to be desired. Scary regular season team. Then they get into the playoffs and they're rolling out Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson.

I don't think their the 27 Yankees, 04 Cards, 75 Reds, or 95 Indians but that is a stacked lineup. That said, I question the bottom of that lineup and it seems to be very top heavy. I look for Wilson to have a bounce back year but their bullpen might make them miss the playoffs.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by Brutus

They didn't even get a chance, though. According to Jon Daniels, they were informed that the Angels offered a fifth year and they didn't even get an opportunity to match. Perhaps they wouldn't have gone to a fifth year, but Hamilton jumped on it before the Rangers could counter.

But they did have a chance. They could have offered him 5 to begin with. Then they wouldn't have had to worry about the Angels counter.

I'm not saying they didn't want him. They just didn't go the extra mile to keep him.

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by Chip R

But they did have a chance. They could have offered him 5 to begin with. Then they wouldn't have had to worry about the Angels counter.

I'm not saying they didn't want him. They just didn't go the extra mile to keep him.

Why would you offer 5 initially if you think you can get him for 4 years? There's no reason to go the extra mile at first. Since when do teams go as high as they're willing to go on the first try? Isn't that the point of negotiation? You leave some wiggle room to negotiate only if you have to do so.

Frankly, going 5 years initially would have seemed like they were bidding against themselves. And usually, if someone else did go 5 years, they figured they'd have a chance to counter. After all, most agents' goal is to drive the price up.

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by MikeThierry

The thing about this is that I dont' think Pujols has had a hitter hitting behind him like Hamilton. Edmonds, Rolen, and Holliday were good to great hitters in their prime but Hamilton is on a different level. I think this will make Pujols more of a threat in that lineup. If he doesn't get off to the bad starts he did the past two years, Pujols could put up MVP type numbers again during the length of the Hamilton contract.

That's a fair point. But Pujols has been so ridiculously good over the course of his career, I don't think it matters who hits behind him. I actually think it may benefit Hamilton moreso than Pujols.