Josh Hamilton: Why the Texas Rangers Are Playing with Fire by Not Re-Signing Him

The longer the season goes the bigger the questions get about whether or not Major League Baseball’s top free-agent-to-be Josh Hamilton will re-sign with Texas after the season.

Rangers Owner and President Nolan Ryan has made it clear that he doesn’t expect to reach a deal with Hamilton to during the season, which could cost the Rangers their star player.

Every game that Ryan and General Manager Jon Daniels let Hamilton play without a new contract is like playing with a stick of dynamite.

Hamilton has stated that while he wants to stay with Texas, he is willing to leave for a more lucrative long-term deal. If he continues to play at this level for the rest of the season, he will definitely get that.

If Hamilton were to be signed tomorrow, it would probably be for around five years and $110 million dollars.

Whether or not he would agree to such a deal by the end of the season remains to be seen because of his extensive injury history over the span of his career.

One thing is for sure that if Hamilton can continue to perform on the field and at the plate and he wins the Triple Crown, Texas is going to lose him unless they are willing to fork over $25 million per season.

There is always a team that willing to make a big splash in free agency, such as the Los Angeles Angels and Miami Marlins. By letting the season linger on, the Rangers are playing with the fire that is always burning within every MLB team: to find a marquee player that sells tickets and wins games. Hamilton does both.