MLB Free Agency: Top 5 Destinations for Josh Hamilton

The MLB hot stove is a time for fans across the land to rekindle hope that this is the year that THEIR team is going to make the biggest free agent splash.

While the Yankees and Red Sox typically have the deepest pockets, and the fortitude to actually pull off these deals, new players have emerged, too. The Angels captured this year's prize Albert Pujols, then signed C.J. Wilson just for fun right afterward.

There are more free agents for the big bidders to target at the end of 2012. The big fish in the eyes of many is Texas Rangers' slugger Josh Hamilton.

Over the last few weeks, Hamilton has made a few interesting statements regarding his impending contract negotiations.

The left handed outfielder turned more than a few ears saying "he didn't owe the Rangers anything", later clarifying that his first choice would be to stay in Texas.

You can't blame anyone for eying the open market and setting up your family for life with a Powerball sized contract.

Hamilton, 30, who is younger than Albert Pujols "age" by about a year, will certainly be looking at offers fairly close to what Albert got. While Hamilton's career certainly doesn't have the polish of Pujols, and his personal struggles are well documented, the bidding should be interesting if a contract with Texas cannot be agreed upon.

While some may see Hamilton's relapse as a red flag on a career filled with red flags, his talent will bring around plenty of teams, and plenty of dollars.

Here's a look at five possible destinations for Josh Hamilton.

New York Yankees

The Yanks are always players when it comes to free agency, though they have served only to drive the price up for players in the past couple of years.

While Hal Steinbrenner has stated his intent to cut back on some of the Bronx Bomber's spending, rest assured the Yanks and their fans still want the best possible product on the field.

If Hamilton hits the market, expect Brian Cashman to inquire about his services, even if it's for no other reason than to make sure somebody else spends a fortune for him.

Chicago Cubs

If you think Theo Epstein doesn't have an ego, you're kidding yourself.

Epstein is keenly aware of his legacy, and wants to be remembered as the biggest slump buster in MLB history.

While he was relatively quiet with a few smaller moves this offseason, don't be surprised to see Theo go after it big time next winter. He feels that Boston undervalued his talents, and would like nothing more than to break the Wrigley curse, after doing the same in Beantown.

Wrigley is a launching pad, but Hamilton isn't keen on day games. Plus, a National League team, typically doesn't spend big on sluggers because there's no DH.

Hamilton would be the poster boy for the Chicago favorite Cubs, and could possibly get a statue next to Epstein's if the Cubs won a World Series with him.

Baltimore Orioles

Alright, Alright. Stop Laughing. 

The Orioles have a ton of money to spend...OK, so I can't really even make an argument as to why Hamilton would even consider coming to Charm City, unless they offered him a dump truck full of money and a stake in ownership (which can't really be that much actually).

Baltimore would have made a run at Hamilton once upon a time. They also won relevant games then, too.

Sigh, I hate being an Orioles fan. The Pirate fans feel sorry for us.

Next.

Miami Marlins

The Florida Fish proved that they want to be players in the free agent world. The team missed out on Big Albert and C.J. WIlson, but they need to put butts in seats.

A solid rebound year with a healthy Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson and new guy Jose Reyes might make Hamilton consider "taking his talents to South Beach."

Ozzie Guillen might be the guy to get the under-performing Marlins competitive again, so stay tuned.

Miami as a city doesn't really seem like the ideal location for a recovering addict, country boy, but a lot of money can buy a lot of Wranglers, so...

Houston Astros

Houston makes a ton of sense, because Hamilton is right behind the Dallas Cowboys for popularity in the state of Texas.

Hamilton wouldn't have to move, they could close the dome for all the day games and the Astros need a big name to fill their park.

Plus, if they bring back the disco style uniforms and white shoes, that would probably sell itself.

Realistically, I can't imagine Hamilton leaving Texas. His personality seems to mesh well with the Lone Star state, and though football will always be number one, Hamilton is a favorite son.

Houston is moving to the American League next year, so the DH opportunity is available, and there also appears to be a budding rivalry between general managers, as some smack talk was heard coming from the direction of Jeff Lunhow.

Texas Rangers

Hamilton decided to preemptively strike down the notion that the Rangers were the front runners in re-signing him:

"The Rangers have done a lot for me, but I've got a question for y'all: Have I done a lot for the Rangers? I think I've given them everything I've had," Hamilton said. "I don't think anybody can say I haven't. When it comes down to it, people don't understand, fans don't understand, this is a business, this is an entertainment business.

Though factually correct, Hamilton's comments didn't exactly endear him to the Rangers' brass.

Realistically, the Rangers have the first shot at their own player. It was said that the negotiations wouldn't go on during the year, but if Texas doesn't put out an enormous offer to their left fielding slugger, everyone would be stunned.