Would you take Josh Hamilton?

[Hawk]

Local rag had a piece on Josh Hamilton in today's edition. Advocated for him being shipped to Atlanta. Pure speculation (which, I feel like most everything they write is) but food for thought I suppose.

I don't see him as a fit. Not really even remotely. Given his age (33) and his contract ($32MM the next two years) it's already unlikely, but when you factor in his issues? Ehh...

http://www.postandcourier.com/articl...sense-for-both

There is still hope for a good-hearted man with less baseball wear than you expect at 33. The healing must start with a drastic change of scenery.

Texas makes sense. As Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Colishaw points out, Rangers fans likely would forgive any hard feelings.

The Astros, perhaps. Hamilton is in Houston rehabbing his shoulder, staying sober and itching for live pitching.

The Dodgers and Phillies, with their own salary problems to trade, reportedly are interested.

The Braves are a better fit, contrary to the organization’s payroll-slashing youth movement.

For Atlanta, Hamilton should come at minimum risk and great value. Surely, a bitter Moreno will wise up and offer to pay most of Hamilton’s salary to get him as far away from Anaheim as possible.

Hamilton is an excellent clubhouse guy who eagerly works with young players. MLB Network Radio analyst Jim Duquette said Wednesday that Michael Moye, Hamilton’s agent, has told teams interested in the five-time All-Star that he is willing to insert protective clauses into a revised contract for the right deal (Moye, by the way, is based in Atlanta).

For Hamilton, Atlanta is the perfect fit.

It gets him closer to his family in Raleigh, his friends in both Carolinas and Bojangles.

Anything but the Angels.

[yeezus]

"Less baseball wear than you'd expect," yet still injured all the time, and usually unproductive when he's not.
I'll pass big time.

[clvclv]

IF Moreno were willing to swallow the dollars, why not? Very little risk in that case, and he could be one of those guys the organization could use as a "see what happened to him" example for the young guys.

Have always heard the same things about him that Duquette mentions - good clubhouse guy, always good with younger players. The idea that getting him closer to home wouldn't be as big a plus IMO, since his original problems surfaced when he was with Tampa and he was spending time close to home when he was injured - not so sure that's a selling point.

But if he only cost a couple million per for a couple years he might make a pretty good platoon partner with Gomes to hit behind Freddie. If he caused problems or didn't hit you wouldn't feel bad about cutting him loose if it only cost you that much.

[sturg33]

I think we should get him so we can flip him

[NinersSBChamps]

Makes no sense. That being said I am sure Hart does it.

[gilesfan]

I think we should get him so we can flip him

Yep. Trade in July for top 50 prospect.

[sturg33]

Yep. Trade in July for top 50 prospect.

If Cahill's gonna net us a top 50, Hamilton should be good for a top 10

[50PoundHead]

I always worry about guys with substance abuse issues "coming home." Sure, there's more support for them with family around, but at the same time, he'd be closer to the guys who likely got him started on the road to trouble in the first place.

[Braves1976]

The Angels would have to eat a ton of money to make this even a small possibility IMO. But if they are willing to pretty much eat the contract, then maybe something gets done down the line. I don't see it with the Braves otherwise.

[UNCBlue012]

Meh, I'd say no.

I'm a huge Hamilton fan and I hate that all of this happened, but it is his fault and I don't know how it would affect the chemistry we have. BUT, imagine if he got even close to where we was...

The biggest issue is that our lineup would be so freaking lefty heavy... unless Peraza was ready to come up lol

Peterson 3B
Peraza 2B
Freeman 1B
Hamilton LF
Simba SS
Markakis RF
C-Beth C
Maybin/EY CF
Teheran RHP

[smootness]

I love Hamilton, but if we had to pay all or most of that contract, no way.

If we paid next to nothing, then sure, why not.

[nsacpi]

Not worth risking the special winning mentality this team has developed.

[Millwood1Hitter]

Absolutely if we don't have to give much of anything up and the Angels pick up a significant portion of the salary obligations. It's all about putting him in an environment to overcome his demons and succeed, and Atlanta is probably about as good of a place as their is to accomplish this considering the strength of the internal workings of the organization and the clubhouse, as well as less demands from a laid back fanbase with little to no expectations. If he's right mentally and physically, there isn't anyone in the game that has as much pure talent as he does.

[keithlaw]

For his own sake I hope not. Can you imagine the trouble he'd get into with Chip?

[57Brave]

Looked to have things in order until the fan in Texas.
Whole thing is sad.

No I wouldn't want him. Can't hit any more

[DirkPiggler]

Looked to have things in order until the fan in Texas.
Whole thing is sad.

No I wouldn't want him. Can't hit any more

I think you're on to something here. That kind of tragedy would weigh on a completely sane, addiction-free person.

Like others have said, if the cost in prospects is minimal, and the Angels pick up a significant portion of his salary, why not take a chance? It's not like he would be blocking some super outfield prospect we have waiting in the minors.

[Perfect Cell]

will they take cj and pay for all of his contract? then yeah bring him over

[Carp]

Getting Hamilton even at half price just erases all the money we unloaded from Beej. And Hamilton is arguably just as big of a liability as Beej (in different ways, but still a liability)

No. Just.... no.

[zitothebrave]

No.

But if they took on 2/3 of his contract and Chris Johnson, then yes. It would be close to a payroll push, and it would be a positive net gamble.

[Carp]

No.

But if they took on 2/3 of his contract and Chris Johnson, then yes. It would be close to a payroll push, and it would be a positive net gamble.

I could get down with that, if only because it gets CJ the hell out of town.