Josh Hamilton has told everybody who will listen that when his contract expires after the 2012 MLB season that he will not be giving the Texas Rangers a hometown discount. The former American League MVP has said that while he loves playing in Texas, he doesn’t “owe the Rangers” anything.
To little surprise, that has not sat well with general manager Jon Daniels.
“I still don’t like the choice of words because it has a bad connotation, leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth,” Daniels told ESPN Dallas. ”But I think hearing it in context, and then hearing it with what he followed up with, I understand a little bit of what he was trying to get across. I don’t think I would’ve phrased it that way.”
Hamilton also is probably not thrilled with the fact that the Rangers appeared at least ready to sign free agent Prince Fielder, which would have all but signaled 2012 being the last year for Hamilton in Texas.
Then again, the fact that Hamilton had another relapse with alcohol is probably not helping his cause for a long term contract extension with the Rangers.
It is not helping his chances of landing a huge deal with any other team after this season for that matter either.
Either way, the two sides will not likely discuss an extension during the season, at least until they feel as if Hamilton has a better handle on his alcohol problems going forward.
Original Story:
http://www.hardballchat.com/2012/03/j...
