Josh Hamilton Talks Contract; Doesn’t Owe the Rangers

2010 American League MVP Josh Hamilton is set to become one of the most highly-coveted players on the free agent market next offseason if he’s unable to reach a contract agreement with the Texas Rangers.  Hamilton and the Rangers seem to hold mutual interest in a return, but Hamilton made it clear yesterday that he’s not looking to give his current club a hometown discount.

While speaking with reporters yesterday, Hamilton addressed his pending free agency status.  The 30-year-old got things started by admitting that the Rangers have done a lot for him.  However, Hamilton countered this statement with a question; the slugger proceeded to ask the press if he’s done a lot for the Rangers.

Hamilton answered the question himself, stating that, in his opinion, he’s given the Rangers everything he’s got.  Hamilton then traveled the path many athletes venture this time of year, using the old ‘Major League Baseball is a business line’.

Before getting to the main point of his pronouncement, Hamilton qualified his statement by saying that he loves the Rangers, their fans and his teammates.  However, Hamilton added that he couldn’t sit there and say that he owes the Rangers.  To make things clear, Hamilton finished by telling reporters that he in fact doesn’t feel that he owes the Rangers.

While I don’t disagree with the premise of Hamilton’s statement, there are several other ways he could have gone about saying that he’s not really open to the idea of a hometown discount.  Others have come out and basically said just that this offseason, Russell Martin and Yadier Molina come to mind, and there hasn’t been any major backlash in the media or by their fans.

But to say you don’t owe your franchise anything is something that figures to get your fans a bit riled up.  This is especially true for a player with a history such as Hamilton’s.

While I don’t believe Hamilton should feel like he has to give the Rangers a team-friendly deal, I think he could have gone about making his statement in a better way.

Did you have an issue with Hamilton’s statement and do you think he owes the Rangers anything?

For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’.

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