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The deal is now done -- Josh Hamilton has been traded from the Los Angeles Angels back to his former club, the Texas Rangers.
With everything that happened between Josh Hamilton and the Angels, the best thing for both of them was to separate. Hamilton knew he was unwanted, and owner Arte Moreno likely didn't want to watch the troubled outfielder play on his team for more than two years.
The Angels are set to send $76 million along with Hamilton, and the implications are clear. The Rangers are nearly the unanimous winner of this deal.
How this affects the Angels
Assuming that Hamilton does not utilize his opt-out clause in the second year of this deal, the Angels will be paying him $25.3 million per year through 2017. They have significant amounts of money already committed and having to pay a player so much money to play for a rival team only compounds that issue.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hamilton | $25.3 million | $25.3 million | $25.3 million | |
| Albert Pujols | $24 million | $25 million | $26 million | $27 million |
| C.J. Wilson | $18.5 million | $20.5 million | - | - |
| Jered Weaver | $18.2 million | $20.2 million | - | - |
| Erick Aybar | $8.75 million | $8.75 million | - | - |
| Mike Trout | $6.08 million | $16.08 million | $20.08 million | $34.08 million |
| Joe Smith | $5.25 million | $5.25 million | - | - |
| Total | $106.08 million | $121.08 million | $71.38 million | $61.08 million |
According to Spotrac, these are the players that the Angels have money committed to beyond 2015. This group of eight players is set to receive a bonus next season, and will collectively cost $118.38 million. However with Hamilton on the Rangers, almost 20% of that money will for a player who is actively playing against the Angels.
Aside from money, the Angels come off looking poorly from this situation. According to Hamilton, this could have all been avoided had the team supported him.
Hamilton said if #Angels had put their arm around him after relapse, he would've "been playing probably a month ago."
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) April 27, 2015
Outlook for Rangers
From the point of view of the Rangers, this is an unequivocal win. Because of the amount of money involved in the trade, Texas will pay roughly just $2 million per year; a total investment of less than $7 million. He'll have no noticeable effect on payroll, and won't prevent the front office from making any serious moves.
Even if he winds up being nothing more than a bench player, the Rangers will be in great shape. They look like a savior coming to the rescue of a former player, and wind up with someone that hit 21 home runs just two seasons ago.
This is clearly the best case situation for Hamilton, but Ken Rosenthal reported that there was at least one other team that was willing take the former slugger.
Source: Hamilton vetoed trade to another club, a trade in which he would not have relinquished any cash. Wanted to return to #Rangers.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 27, 2015
It was already clear that the Rangers taking him back was a match made in heaven, and this only strengthens that claim. Hamilton feels comfortable with that team and ownership group, and this is has worked out tremendously well for his well-being both on and off the field.
Just a few minutes ago in a press conference, Hamilton said that he feels like he's back home, and is ready to move forward with the Rangers.