Angels trade OF Josh Hamilton to Rangers
The Los Angeles Angels have traded outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the teams announced on Monday.
CBS Sports reported on Friday that the Angels had agreed to trade Hamilton to Texas, hours after SI.com first reported that Hamilton could be gone from the team in a matter of days.
The trade brings the 33-year-old back to the Rangers organization, where he played from 2008 through 2012. Yahoo Sports reported that Texas is expected to pay roughly $15 million of the $80 million remaining on Hamilton's contract, which runs through the 2017 season.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Hamilton vetoed a trade to another club in which he wouldn't have given up any money.
Hamilton, who in February told Major League Baseball he had relapsed with drugs and alcohol, has been rehabilitating his shoulder in Houston after undergoing surgery on Feb. 3 to repair his acromioclavicular joint. General manager Jon Daniels said Monday the Rangers expect to activate Hamilton from the disabled list in mid-to-late May.
• JAFFE: Rangers trade gives Hamilton chance at getting life, career in order
On April 3, MLB announced it would not suspend Hamilton for his relapse because his behavior did not violate the terms of his treatment program. Later that day, the Angels released a statement in response to MLB's ruling noting that they had serious concerns about Hamilton's health and behavior, and were disappointed that he had broken what the team termed an "important commitment which he has made to himself, his family, his teammates and our fans."
On April 10, Angels owner Arte Moreno connoted that his team obtained language in the outfielder's December 2012 contract prohibiting him from drug or alcohol use, but an industry source told SI.com on Friday that Hamilton’s contract does not contain such language allowing the team to void his deal.
Hamilton said Monday he is taking five drug tests per week and being tested for alcohol.
• SI Vault: The Curse of Bigness: Josh Hamilton wrestles with his future
Hamilton hit .263 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs in 89 games during the 2014 season. In his most recent season with Texas in 2012, Hamilton hit .285 with a career-high 43 home runs and 128 RBIs.
