Rangers & Hamilton Not Talking Money This Year
NEW YORK (CBS SPORTS) - With no common ground found between the Texas Rangers and superstar outfielder Josh Hamilton, the sides are not expected to pick up contract talks until after the year, people familair with the situation told CBS Sports.
The Rangers have yet to make a contract offer this year for the free-agent-to-be star, quite possibly because they view the gap as being too wide to bridge. Hamilton was said this spring by a source to be seeking to be paid like an "elite'' player, which presumably means a deal along the lines of the 9- and 10-year, $200-million-plus deals received by Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Joey Votto at about that time.
Two rival GMs said Hamilton shouldn't expect more than a four-to-five year deal, with one saying, "It should be $100 [million] for five, tops.'' And another predicting Hamilton should get $25 million to $28 million a year for five, which translates to $125 million to $140 million.
The Rangers have purposely stayed away from ultra-long deals in all cases, and indications are that they won't buck that trend here. While they love Hamilton, better than anyone they also know the risks. Rangers president Nolan Ryan recently criticized Hamilton's lack of plate discipline, and Hamilton later beat himself up over his inability to quit chewing tobacco.
Hamilton's agent Michael Moye said it's against his company policy to discuss ongoing contract situations. Rangers GM Jon Daniels also declined to comment.
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