Josh Hamilton Signs With LA Angels For $125M
14 Dec, 2012
Josh Hamilton is heading to the Los Angeles Angels, lured by a $125 million, five-year contract.
The Angels persuaded the free-agent outfielder to leave the Texas Rangers with their third big-money offseason signing in two years, following first baseman Albert Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson.
Still, the Angels failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
They bulked up their pitching staff earlier in the offseason with the additions of pitchers Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson, along with relievers Sean Burnett and Ryan Madson.
Hamilton’s $25 million average salary matches Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard for the second-highest in baseball, trailing only Alex Rodriguez’s $27.5 million average with the New York Yankees.
Because the contract wasn’t final, the Angels didn’t comment publicly. The team said in a prepared statement, “We continue to look for ways to improve our team. As soon as we have something formal to announce, we will do so.”
Hamilton’s addition to the Angels outfield means Mark Trumbo could be moved to third base or traded. Peter Bourjos and Vernon Wells also are among the outfielders competing for playing time unless a trade is made.
Manager Mike Scioscia will have an interesting decision to make on where in the batting order to slot in Pujols, Mike Trout and Hamilton, a five-time All-Star. He has a .260 career average at Angel Stadium with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 150 at-bats.
AP
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