MLB Trade Rumors: Lucrative Short-Term Contract Is Best Bet for Josh Hamilton

The hottest topic in baseball of late is Josh Hamilton.

The Texas Rangers All-Star just smacked a four-home-run game and is currently leading the American League in batting average (.395), home runs (15), RBI (38), slugging (.825) and OPS (1.274).

There is no doubt who the MVP would be if the season ended today.

Hamilton is currently making $13.75 million in the final year of his contract and will certainly be making more than that next season.

With the 2010 MVP turning 31 later this month, typically a player of Hamilton’s stature would be in line to receive Joey Votto-or Albert Pujols-like money.

But Hamilton is different. His drug and alcohol history makes the Rangers weary of giving him a long-term commitment. Frequent injury history doesn’t help his cause.

Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rangers want to keep him, but are looking for a unique way to do it:

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The Rangers want to sign him and continue to explore creative possibilities with his contract, sources say. Hamilton has said that he wants to stay in Texas, but also has made it clear that he is leaving his options open.

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Sure Hamilton could test the free agent waters, but that doesn't seem likely unless the Dodgers come calling. There isn't a ton of money out there right now, especially for such a risky player like Hamilton. 

Like every other working American, Hamilton wants peace of mind. He wants to know he’ll be in the same place for years to come. A short-term deal will always keep him on the edge of his seat. What if he suffers a serious injury?

It’s a situation that doesn’t have an easy solution; I think Rosenthal provides a strong answer:

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The best solution for the Rangers, considering Hamilton’s age, past and injury history, is probably a short deal with a high average salary—say, four years, $100 million. Yet even then, Hamilton would be a high-risk, high-reward proposition.

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Hamilton has to realize that his history scares teams beyond belief. Sure the Rangers are loaded, but tossing around $200 million on a player that has suffered a relapse in the past 12 months?

That’s a risk even the shrewdest Wall Street trader would think twice about making.

On the other hand, after watching so much money get thrown at the best players in the game, his numbers suggest he should be next in line.

I’m with Rosenthal, a medium-length deal like four years is perfect, with a more than fair $25 million per year attached to it. It doesn’t insult Hamilton, and it gives the Rangers enough insurance in case something were to happen.

In one of the trickier decisions a team has been forced to make in recent years, this is the best solution for all parties involved.  

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