Josh Hamilton rumors: Rangers 'most aggressive' on slugger

The Texas Rangers have been the most aggressive team on free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton so far this offseason, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

#Rangers most aggressive team on Hamilton, according to source. Would ease sting of losing Napoli. #Brewers on periphery with Hamilton.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 3, 2012

Rosenthal notes that the Milwaukee Brewers are on the periphery with Hamilton. He adds that if the Rangers were able to re-sign Hamilton it would ease the sting of losing first baseman/catcher Mike Napoli, who’s reportedly nearing a three-year agreement with the Boston Red Sox.

The market for Hamilton has yet to develop much beyond pure speculation at this point. Several teams beyond the Rangers and Brewers, including the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, have been tied in some fashion to the free agent slugger.

Hamilton is reportedly seeking a contract in the range of seven years and $175 million. Given the former MVP’s issues with injuries and substance abuse, teams seem hesitant, at least at this point, to offer anything close to that.

Last season with the Rangers Hamilton hit .285/.354/.577 with 31 doubles and 43 home runs. Over six seasons at the major league level the 31-year-old has hit .304/.363/.549.