Josh Hamilton to Angels, 5 years, $125 million

[Invader3K]

It's all over Twitter. Five year deal.

[trwi7]

MYSTERY TEAM!

[craigharmann]

Somebody was bound to do it. 5 years is a bit scary given his history, but when you've got money to burn, and his talent, if he stays focused and clean, could be worth....huge gamble, though.

[Invader3K]

It's a big risk for the Angels, but one they can afford to make. It's getting abundantly clear that teams like the Brewers can't wade into the FA pool anymore with all this new local TV revenue coming in.

 

I really think Melvin needs to start shopping Hart and Gomez around now.

[sheetskout]

This is beyond ridiculous. Something needs to be done to even out the playing field in MLB.

[Invader3K]

This is beyond ridiculous. Something needs to be done to even out the playing field in MLB.

 

I just made the comment on Twitter that this off-season shows that the Brewers (and probably many other teams) are back to being small market. All this new TV money has made the big markets even bigger by comparison.

[brewmann04]

the TV $ did not stream down to the Brewers it seems?

[SRB]

Don't the Angels already have too many OF??

 

*Edit*

To put things into perspective, last two years:

Ryan Braun: .420 wOBA

Josh Hamilton: .379 wOBA

Corey Hart: .367 wOBA

 

If you're not playing him in CF and praying for MVP-year-upside, Hamilton's a bit more Corey Hart than Ryan Braun.

[Invader3K]

Don't the Angels already have too many OF??

 

There's some speculation of them maybe trading Bourjos, I guess.

[logan82]

They will just move somebody to 1B. They really don't have a good 1B anyway.

[sheetskout]

This is beyond ridiculous. Something needs to be done to even out the playing field in MLB.

 

I just made the comment on Twitter that this off-season shows that the Brewers (and probably many other teams) are back to being small market. All this new TV money has made the big markets even bigger by comparison.

 

Sheetskout = @jordo2323 (In case you didn't know)

[Invader3K]

Sheetskout = @jordo2323 (In case you didn't know)

 

Did not. Good to know

[Ennder]

This will bother me a lot more if the Angels or Dodgers actually make the playoffs this year. Last year 3 of the top 5 payrolls didn't make the playoffs and the 3rd lowest payroll did and the 5th lowest just barely missed out. 4 other mid range payrolls made the playoffs. People had this same reaction last year at the Pujols signing which resulted in a 3rd place finish and the Fielder signing which required a CHA meltdown just to make the playoffs. Free agency in general is a pretty cruddy way to build a team, especially the big named guys.

[splitterpfj]

Hamilton came in at the top end of what I thought he might get, good for him, I don't see any way he'd have gotten a better deal somewhere else.

 

The Angels had better win soon, because their payroll is going to be a mess in a few years.

[jerichoholicninja]

My initial reaction when I read this was that Melvin needs to get Morales from them and flip Hart for some pitching.

[owbc]

I guess the big question is how high can these top payrolls go? The Angels are still below $200 million so if the TV contract numbers are correct, they might have another $20+ million/year to drop on another big contract in a year or two. I hope the Pujols contract hurts them at some point, but it might just become a drop in the bucket.

 

The Rangers' payroll is much closer to the Brewers than the Angels now. As a small market fan, I sort of expect this, but I wonder what the fans in mid-market cities like Dallas, St. Louis, or San Francisco think about getting bumped down into the lower payroll echelon.

[brewcrewdue80]

Let the big markets expend their money now. Brewers didn't need to dabble in the high priced FAs.

I expect them to be able to spend just they looked at what could be spent and are shaking their heads wisely no.

These crazy contracts are going to become troublesome for these teams like the Yankees and Luxury tax. Its just fun to watch Angels grab the guy Rangers are targeting like Grienke last year.

That is some serious 30-35+HR bats on that lineup now!

[ewitkows]

My initial reaction when I read this was that Melvin needs to get Morales from them and flip Hart for some pitching.

Go for Trumbo. That be a nice 3-4-5

[SRB]

My initial reaction when I read this was that Melvin needs to get Morales from them and flip Hart for some pitching.

Go for Trumbo. That be a nice 3-4-5

Trumbo a huge downgrade from Hart. Would have to be some good pitching.

[pretendastronaut]

D'oh.

 

Torii Hunter ‏@toriihunter48

I was told money was tight but I guess the Arte had money hidden under a Mattress. Business is business but don't lie.

[Raw Biz]

My initial reaction when I read this was that Melvin needs to get Morales from them and flip Hart for some pitching.

Go for Trumbo. That be a nice 3-4-5

Trumbo a huge downgrade from Hart. Would have to be some good pitching.

 

I wouldn't call going from a 30 year old .840 OPS to a 26 year old .810 OPS a huge downgrade. That being said, I'd rather not give up prospects for Trumbo and just trade Hart for pitching while plugging in Gamel/Green. I think a lot of people think we need a top 3 offense. I'd settle for a top 10 offense if we had top 5 pitching.

[SRB]

I wouldn't call going from a 30 year old .840 OPS to a 26 year old .810 OPS a huge downgrade. That being said, I'd rather not give up prospects for Trumbo and just trade Hart for pitching while plugging in Gamel/Green. I think a lot of people think we need a top 3 offense. I'd settle for a top 10 offense if we had top 5 pitching.

HRs are not as impressive when you can barely manage a .300 OBP.

 

.337 wOBA (Trumbo, 2011-12) v. .367 wOBA (Hart, 2011-12)

[ecjimg]

D'oh.

 

Torii Hunter ‏@toriihunter48

I was told money was tight but I guess the Arte had money hidden under a Mattress. Business is business but don't lie.

 

I'm so tired of tori hunter. He's the one who inferred Mauer got his big contract because he's white. I'm sure he's on the same wavelength with this.

[brewcrewdue80]

ESPN puts the idea of Trumbo being traded away. As well as the first 2years of deal being lower and last 3 paid higher so the Wells contract clears. Making Hunters tweet mute.

 

If Angels shop Trumbo what can they ask in return? I see a Mets connection/Seattle in return for Pitching

[Ennder]

I guess the big question is how high can these top payrolls go?

 

The Dodgers said they don't plan on maintaining this type of payroll. They are spending big now while they rebuild the farm system and then will likely lower payroll. I'm guessing you wont' see anyone keep a $200M payroll long term.