I think it would be a bad move. He's getting older, he's injured fairly often which I'd have to believe will increase with age, and he won't be worth the contract he'll get.
Seriously? Dude averages <9 HR's in 4 minor league seasons then disappears (cough, cough) for three years he then comes back and, now -- BOOM! -- is suddenly averaging 35 (over 162 games) Is there any question that Hamilton is juicing? Really? This would be Manny 2.0 but far worse -- the contract he seeks and will get could cripple a franchise for years to come. Stats notwithstanding, is this someone you really wants to hand your car keys to?
The only situation to get Hamilton would be if SF were making a bid, then you'd have to slam their deal. Other than that, I would just concentrate on getting an infield. Hitters at the corners!
Hamilton was a top 5 prospect on earth when he was with the Rays. He always had tremendous raw power. There's way too much unjustified suspicion about steroids for every guy who hits over 30 homers these days.
Sure..and if that does come to fruition because of his addition to the OF, then he's worth every bit as much as Kemp or Ethier or Kershaw. No doubt about it. Spend, spend, spend, like it's "stimulus" program--because it will be!!!! We'll get it all back from the people... soon enough, silly.
That's very true...some of my favorite players were heavy duty druggies, tried and true, or boozers...Daryl Strawberry, Steve Howe, Bob Welch, Don Newcombe; and I don't even know what category you put 'roider guys like Gagne and LoDuca...pay huge sums of money to whoever they want to get, and if they fall off the wagon, let them follow their addictive bliss. What Uribe and Jones and Schmitt were better options? And don't forget, as Dodger Nation turned it's lonely (and needful) eyes to Ned, and by atrition, Kasten and Magic and the rest of "The Group", it was for Carlos Lee. Carlos fucking Lee. "Overpaying" for Hamilton is a privilege compared to this.
Not with 150 million dollars lol And some demons are more extreme than others. He's an aging former addict, who has not only fell off the wagon at least twice in the past few years, but who's body has gone through who knows what over the past 10 years. I think he's a great story and I root for him, but I wouldn't bet 150 million on him.
RE Wagon talk: While it's true Hamilton recently went out, he did own up to it and get right back on the program and it appears he's been alright since. If anyone here has any experience with addicts you know how hard that is for them to do and he did it. Give him credit because fighting that fight goes well beyond what some might think he did just because he's in a contract year. That said. YEAH. WTF!!! Murderer's row indeed! The poll should include: Who'd hop back and forth and risk pissing in his pants in order to stay and watch our 3/4/5 AB's??? I know I would....FUCKEN A RIGHT I would!
Absolutely, and like I said, I think very highly of him and root for him to succeed. Just not a fan of taking such a big risk when there's so much history.
I would love to have Hamilton but I suspect--despite the new pockets--there is a finite number for payroll. Hamilton will get around 6/144. Here are my questions. Do I trust Hamilton for 6? Probably not. However, he is only 38 when that contract ends. Will he hit 30 plus at 38? Probably not but I could still see 25/90. He is a great hitter. He will always hit. He will just lose his pop and legs. Do I trust him to stay sober in the LA market? I have no idea. I thought he was doing well when he relapsed the first and second time. We all have demons. But, not all of us, are being paid 24 million to keep theirs at bay for 3/4 a year. My next question is could I get his pop by using that money elsewhere? That really is the question. Here is the issue with that question. If we get Hamilton, he brings us (barring serious injury and relapse) .290 30 100 for three good years. He also solidifies our OF. No more experiments. You then have Kemp @ .300 / 30 /100, Ethier @ .285 25 90 and Hamilton. That is SICK. However, we still have holes. 2,3,4 hitters only hit every other inning on average. I personally think 3rd base is our biggest need. That said, a list of: Geoff Blum (39) Miguel Cairo (39) Eric Chavez (35) Mark DeRosa (38) Brandon Inge (36) Maicer Izturis (32) Jose Lopez (29) Placido Polanco (37) - $5.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout Mark Reynolds (29) - $11MM club option with a $500K buyout Scott Rolen (38) Mark Teahen (31) Miguel Tejada (39) Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout David Wright (30) - $16MM club option with a $1MM buyout Edwin Encarnrcion (30) does not inspire confidence save one or two. It looks to remain a hole unless we can get it filled via trade. Wright would be great but that option is getting picked up and probably signed long term. Given our lack of production from Uribe and his dwindling talents, it seems that we must do something outside of FA unless we are willing to trust Encarnacion. I would move someone there and hope he sticks until we can trade for or bring up someone. The 2014 list does not look any better. Therefore, I think, one has to consider moving a .280 hitter to third and letting the power thing go. Maybe Herrera can regain form and at least hit for average. Otherwise, our options are Uribe and DeJesus (whom I would not mind trying). I am willing to give Encarnacion a shot. I think if he puts up decent numbers he will be young enough to fill the spot for at least four years. Second has other options. Alex C. could fill in if he is able to bring his avg with him. Thus far, this has not been the case. Ellis is penciled in but I would guess he will be a part time or platoon player. That is of concern. I am not sure what other options we have. Again, there is always DeJesus. First is the area of issue. Loney is done in my opinion. He simply cannot be counted on. Hoping for a second half resurgence only shows his horror for the first four months. First must be fixed. Here is the list of first baseman: Lance Berkman (36) Russell Branyan (37) Jason Giambi (42) Brad Hawpe (34) Eric Hinske (35) Aubrey Huff (36) - $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout Casey Kotchman (30) Adam LaRoche (33) - $10MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout Carlos Lee (37) James Loney (29) Xavier Nady (34) Mike Napoli (31) Lyle Overbay (36) Carlos Pena (35) Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout At this point, the only ones I would consider would be Napoli, Laroche, and Berkman. Laroche has his option picked up. It is too cheap not to. Napoli is the best option as far as hitters go. He is younger and more healthy than Berkman. He would also be a tremendous help with production. I have left of catcher and short because both seem cemented for the next few at least. For outfielders available,should we not sign Hamilton, the list is decent. No eye poppers but a few who could hit for avg. and have some pop. Left fielders Jay Gibbons (36) Jonny Gomes (32) Scott Hairston (33) Josh Hamilton (32) Willie Harris (35) Brad Hawpe (34) Eric Hinske (35) Conor Jackson (31) Reed Johnson (36) Andruw Jones (36) Austin Kearns (33) Mark Kotsay (37) Carlos Lee (37) Fred Lewis (32) Ryan Ludwick (34) - mutual option for 2013 Juan Pierre (35) Juan Rivera (34) - $4MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout Delmon Young (27) Center fielders Alfredo Amezaga (35) Rick Ankiel (33) Michael Bourn (30) Melky Cabrera (28) Mike Cameron (40) Curtis Granderson (32) - $13MM club option with a $2MM buyout Scott Hairston (33) Angel Pagan (31) Corey Patterson (33) Cody Ross (32) Grady Sizemore (30) Ryan Spilborghs (33) B.J. Upton (28) Shane Victorino (32) Right fielders Lance Berkman (36) Matt Diaz (35) Kosuke Fukudome (36) - $3.5MM club option with a $500K buyout Willie Harris (35) Torii Hunter (37) Andruw Jones (36) Mark Kotsay (37) Ryan Ludwick (34) - mutual option for 2013 Xavier Nady (34) Carlos Quentin (30) Juan Rivera (34) - $4MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout Cody Ross (32) Ryan Spilborghs (33) Ichiro Suzuki (39) Nick Swisher (32) Designated hitters Bobby Abreu (39) Johnny Damon (39) Edwin Encarnacion (30) Vladimir Guerrero (38) Travis Hafner (36) - $13MM club option with a $2.75MM buyout Raul Ibanez (41) Hideki Matsui (39) David Ortiz (38) Luke Scott (35) - $6MM club option with a $1MM buyout Jim Thome (42) Of this group, I am most excited about Swisher, Quentin, Upton, Bourne, and Victorino. Swisher is the eldest but has the most consistent bat. Quentin is who I like best but he too has his issues. Upton, in my opinion, has never reached his potential. He could be the steal of this FA season. Or, he could be average. Bourne would be great atop any order. Victorino could be great for avg. and pop and saving Matt's legs. However, it is reported that he wants 5 years. He is 32. That could be problematic. Going back to my original issue: Is Hamilton worth it? At this point, given our options, yes if we are willing to give it up in other areas. However, I think that we have enough resources to fill three positions and still acquire an ace. I would rather go this route if I had my drothers. We have no offensive threat in the minors trying to get playing time. We have no trade in the works to fill the voids at our holes. Mixing and matching has not served us well. We must go with PROVEN guys with power left in their bats who can stick for more than 2 years. We have to have a plan.
I cannot believe there are any No votes. How the fuck would you not want Hamilton? I don't give a rats ass that he'd be 38 at the end of the contract or that he'd cost $25M/year, is it your money?
Like I said. It's such a must for me at the right price (nothing over 6 years). We would finally be the big fish in the small pond (NL West) like we deserve to be. I hate that the Rockies, Padres, Giants, and D-Backs aren't afraid of us. We've just been one of them. Not the big evil market they cannot compete with. Look at the FA list. YUCK. And the Trout/Pujols/Trumbo down the freeway pisses me off. Don't you want something like that? Hamilton will fire up this city, put asses in the seats, and change the culture like Manny did.
Getting a little older, and is injury prone. Worries me. But there is such reward. I cannot ignore it. Pujols getting 10 years is retarded. Hamilton getting 6 years is not close to as bad as that. imo
