Angels Sign Josh Hamilton To Five Year-$125 Million Contract

Maybe Jerry Dipoto is a big fan of my work. Earlier in the off-season, I talked about how the Angels should target Josh Hamilton as a free agent. He would be a nice left-handed bat in the middle of the order. He could play in left with Mike Trout in center field.  Now, it appears that came to fruition.

Sep 27, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers outfieder Josh Hamilton runs off the field in the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Today, the Angels signed the outfielder to a five year, $125 million deal. Hamilton will probably be in leftfield with Trout in center and Mark Trumbo in right. The Angels have three of the most dynamic and popular players in the game in Trout, Hamilton and Albert Pujols.Hamilton balances out a right handed hitting order, where Kendrys Morales was the only switch hitter with power. It appears Hamilton didn’t want to deal with Texas anymore and got frustrated in his dealings with them.

Are there drawbacks to this? Sure, everyone knows Hamilton’s history. Everyone knows about his struggles in the second half of the season last year and how he gets little injuries here and there. Yes, Vernon Wells contract is still on the books for this year and next and the Angels will be spending about $75 million on Wells, Pujols and Hamilton.

It looks like the Angels took the money they were possibly going to give to Zack Greinke and put it towards a power bat in Hamilton. Could the Angels regret this in a couple of years? Sure, but they are in a position to win now. Flags fly forever. You have to take the risk and go for it.