Rangers, Josh Hamilton Agree To Two-Year Deal

[Elite]

3:02pm: Hamilton earns $7.25MM in 2011, $13.75MM in 2012 and a $3MM signing bonus, according to Grant (on Twitter).

1:01pm: The Rangers agreed to sign Josh Hamilton to a two-year, $24MM deal, avoiding arbitration. Hamilton had filed for $12MM in arbitration this year, while the Rangers countered with $8.7MM.

Hamilton earned $3.25MM last year in his first season as an arbitration eligible player. He won the AL MVP, a Silver Slugger and the batting title in 2010, though he battled a variety of injuries along the way. Hamilton missed most of September with a ribcage injury, but finished the season with a sparkling .359/.411/.633 line and 32 homers.

The contract buys out the Moye/Sanderson client's final two seasons of arbitration eligibility, but does not delay his free agency. Like Joey Votto, last year's NL MVP, Hamilton signed an extension that covers only his remaining arbitration years.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News first reported the agreement (on Twitter) and Jon Heyman of SI.com reported the value of the contract (Twitter link).

MLBTR

Great deal for the Rangers, despite his inability to stay on the field, he's still one of the best players in the MLB.

 

[cruzg24]

I agree, this guy is a great hitter. Hits for power, average, can play solid defense, and hes a great guy in the clubhouse.

 

[Lake Louise]

Definitely a deal they wanted to get done. Doesn't avoid him becoming a free agent, but that's down the road and they can figure that out then. He's a great player, and one of those great clubhouse personalities every team has, and needs.