Josh Hamilton hits 4 HRs, breaks team record

Green Mean · May 14, 2012

The problem is that his private life can lead to a multi-game suspension and that has an effect on the team and his on the field performance. Sign him, but put a clause in the protect the team in the event a relapse. Not a relapse like the one the past off season, but a relapse to illegal drugs that leads to him squandering his career.

As a player, he is incomparable. A true five tool player that makes the game look extremely easy. If he stays clean, the sky is the limit. There is not another player in his category. A-Rod wishes he had the overall talent of Hamilton. He reminds me of Griffey Jr. when Griffey Jr. was in his prime.

I agree that he is a risk and could affect the team if he is suspended etc. As for putting a clause in his contract I am not sure that will fly well with the players unions. The MLB players union is the strongest of any sport and by miles and miles of the other unions. I think whoever sign him will sign him outright without any clauses because I just don't think teams will be successful putting clauses in the contracts without a fight from the union.

gksmith · May 16, 2012

Josh Hamilton breaks THE bat on his last hit - a single to Left Field.

The following day he loses his grip on a new bat and it flies into the stands.

Just imagine the fights, what the Hall of Fame would have to give up to get the bat if that one had been THE bat....

Monkeypox · May 16, 2012

I agree that he is a risk and could affect the team if he is suspended etc. As for putting a clause in his contract I am not sure that will fly well with the players unions. The MLB players union is the strongest of any sport and by miles and miles of the other unions. I think whoever sign him will sign him outright without any clauses because I just don't think teams will be successful putting clauses in the contracts without a fight from the union.

Actually, if someone is suspended for drug violations, you don't need a clause in a contract. By the CBA, it's an unpaid suspension. He's already a big time loser in the drug program. Another drug relapse and he's done, and the Rangers won't be on the hook from him if he's banned from baseball. The big risk then is the fact that you've already paid him something and now you don't have a player. The relapse risk is the same as the injury risk. Well, actually, it's less, because with injury, you're still paying the guy, and he's been injured more than he's relapsed into alcohol.