On this date in 2012, the LA Angels made a franchise-crushing mistake

Nine years ago today, the LA Angels made a terrible mistake by signing OF Josh Hamilton to a five-year/$125 million deal.

It turned out to be a horrible signing. Hamilton only ended up playing with the Angels for two out of those five years, and had what was by far the worst two-year stretch of his career.

Coming off of his fifth-straight All-Star season with the Texas Rangers, it appeared that this signing would be amazing for the Halos. Little did they know that Hamilton would take his foot off the gas the way he did.

The Josh Hamilton signing was arguably the worst free agent signing in LA Angels history.

Josh Hamilton was painful to watch in his play for the LA Angels.

In his first season with the squad, he played 151 games. Unfortunately, however, he hit just .250/.307/.432 (.739 OPS). He hit just 21 baseballs out of the park, driving in just 79 runs and scoring just 73 of his own.

Keep in mind that this was just a season after he clobbered 43 home runs to bring in 128 runs and score 103 runs. Also keep in mind that Hamilton hit .304/.363/.549 (.913 OPS) in his career prior to coming to LA, and averaged 27 home runs, 92 RBI, and 78 runs per season. And those numbers would have been better if he hadn't been limited to just 90 games in his rookie year and 89 games in 2009.

Being limited to a low amount of games is something Hamilton experienced in his second year with the Halos. He played in just 89 games again, and hit .263/.331/.414 (.745 OPS). Recording just 10 home runs, 44 RBI, and 43 R, Hamilton wasn't getting it done even when he was on the field.

Hamilton ended up being released after just those two years. He tried to go back to Texas and revive his career, but hit just .253/.291/.441 (.732 OPS) in 50 games with the Rangers.

Sometimes, a player secures his bag and assumes his job is done. It appears that this is what happened with Hamilton.