Rangers “Making Progress” with Josh Hamilton
By John Parent
Ken Rosenthal has maintained that the Texas Rangers have been by far the most aggressive club in pursuit of free agent slugger Josh Hamiltonat this year’s Winter Meetings. Hamilton is in attendance in Nashville and has been meeting with various clubs, including the Mariners, to attempt to expedite his free agency.
Hamilton is the biggest fish on the free agent market. Image: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
According to Rosenthal, Hamilton may not be unemployed much longer as he and the Rangers are getting closer to an agreement on what would be a four-year contract.
Sources: #Rangers, Hamilton making progress. Deal, if reached, likely would be 4 yrs. But still possible another team could beat TEX offer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2012
Hamilton has been connected to several clubs, as you might imagine given his production, but most have openly balked at a contract of seven years, which is what Hamilton was said to have been seeking. Last month, Rangers GM Jon Daniels indicated that they had maintained interest in Hamilton, but it had been reported that Texas would not go beyond three years to retain the 2010 AL MVP.
Hamilton slugged 43 home runs for Texas last season and has drawn interest from Seattle, Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.