In breaking news this afternoon, multiple sources are reporting that the Los Angeles Angles have signed free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract.
Josh Hamilton at the plate with the Texas Rangers. (Image via Wikipedia Commons)
This is one year after the Angels signed free agent first baseman Albert Pujols and months after the team acquired pitcher Zack Greinke in a trade from the Brewers. Greinke, of course, recently signed with the Dodgers, freeing up money for the Angels to spend on Hamilton.
The Hamilton deal sets up other possibilities for the Angels, perhaps a trade with the Mets.
A number of the national baseball writers are speculating on Twitter that the suddenly pitching-strapped Angels – after losing Greinke, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana this offseason – could be in the market for R.A. Dickey. With a surplus in the outfield, Peter Bourjos and/or Mark Trumbo have become expendable. LA also has under-performing Vernon Wells on the payroll and I wonder if the Mets might take a chance on him if the Angels foot the bill.
The Mets could also use a catcher and the Angels do have Hank Conger, who hit .295 last year in Triple-A. Dickey for Conger and Bourjos or Trumbo. Who says no first?
This also sets the market for the remaining free agent outfielders, namely, Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn and Scott Hairston. Those dominoes should also fall soon.
As I said yesterday, I think the Yankees are all but done on the free agent market. I could see GM Brian Cashman looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder on a one-year deal to fill out his roster. He could certainly make a big splash with a trade as well.
I’d be remiss to mention that Hamilton had two stints with the Hudson Valley Renegades. Another former Renegades player, Ryan Dempster, also signed today, agreeing to a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
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While we’re on the subject of Angels catching prospects, how about Newburgh’s Ricky Pacione?
Pacione played 35 games for the High-A Inland Empire 66ers last year, hitting .227.
A product of Newburgh Free Academy and Marist College, Pacione has already responded to the Hamilton deal on Twitter:
Haha I love it..Hamilton to the angels..have fun pitching to that lineup #Angels
— Ricky Pacione (@RPacione2) December 13, 2012
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What do you think of the latest action on the hot stove? Let me know on Twitter: @THR_Montgomery.
