Angels, Josh Hamilton looking to settle dispute

Los Angeles' conflict with Josh Hamilton has been given national attention, but the club may be close to reaching an agreement. According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Angels could be in the initial stages of settling their dispute with the veteran outfielder.

While the Angels are looking to end the conflict, there is not one distinct scenario being discussed after Hamilton's struggles with drugs and alcohol. Both Hamilton and the Angels have several options, and an agreement will likely not be reached quickly.

One of the options would involve trading Hamilton, however doing so may be a challenge. If Los Angeles was able to move him, the club would likely have to pay a large portion of the $83 million he is due to earn over the next three seasons. A buyout is another possibility, but Rosenthal notes it may not be realistic if the Major League Baseball Players' Association gets involved.

Denny Neagle and Sidney Ponson are both players who agreed to settle for less than the total values of their respective deals, and Hamilton could soon be added to the list. Both Ponson and Neagle were seen as violating a personal-conduct clause, and Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan notes Hamilton can be seen in the same light.

A deal between the Angels and Hamilton is not close, and as a result, the details of a potential settlement are not clear. Angels owner Arte Moreno made it clear he does not want Hamilton back with the club in 2015, and the process of moving him was once expected to be lengthy. The fact that the initial discussions are underway may suggest otherwise.

The expectation is changing teams and remaining around the game will prove to be beneficial for Hamilton moving forward. He will not get another opportunity with the Angels, but another chance may be coming in the near future.