Report: Angels discussed possible trade of Josh Hamilton
The Los Angeles Angels discussed a possible trade involving leftfielder Josh Hamilton earlier this offseason, but the talks went nowhere, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Rosenthal said the talks between the Angels and at least two teams were “exploratory” and that the team did not contact Hamilton to see if he would waive his no-trade clause.
The Angels signed the 33-year-old, five-time All-Star to a five-year contract, worth $125 million after the 2012 season. He still has three years and $83 million left on that deal and is scheduled to be paid $23 million this season and $30 million each season after that.
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“We do believe in Josh,” Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “We’ve seen it every day when he takes batting practice. We’ve seen him hit balls that humans shouldn’t hit. What he does, 99 percent of the players can’t do.”
Hamilton, the 2010 American League Most Valuable Player, hit .263 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI during an injury-plagued 2014 season. He suffered injuries to his thumb, ribs, and chest. Hamilton played just four games in the final month of the season and went hitless in 13 at-bats in the Division Series against the Kansas City Royals as the Angels were swept in three games.
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