Is Josh Hamilton Really Worth $175 Million?

Everyone knows who Josh Hamilton is. If you do not know who he is, lemme slap you first, then I will inform you of who this guy is and what he is doing this off-season. Josh Hamilton has played his way into people's homes across the country and has put the Texas Rangers on the list of elite teams in the American League. His quirky play style along with his straight-edge lifestyle has made many people hate him, and others adore him.  One thing that can be agreed on between the fans and the haters is how explosive Hamilton is when he is playing his best. The question everyone is thinking about is whether the Rangers should give him the contract he wants.

He was recently said he is looking for a contract with 7 years at $175 million. For a 31 year-old former addict, that looks like a big gamble for teams across the league. The ironic thing about this whole situation is how different our views were at the beginning/middle of the season where Hamilton was pushing Triple Crown numbers. We all wanted him to stay with the Rangers, and we were willing to do whatever it took to keep him here and keep him happy. After how he finished the season, many fans want to just give him the boot and use that money on someone else.

If you look at his stats compared to someone who is getting close to his money, like Albert Pujols, then you should easily make a decision about whether or not to give him what he wants. Just with MVP votes, Pujols has been in the top 5 votes 10 out of the 12 seasons he has played. I mean come on, this guy was Rookie of the Year and finished 4th in the MVP race, only to lose to Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Luis Gonzales. This guy has been a workhorse for the past 12 years and when he signed that 10 year, $240 million contract, even though some said he was not worth $240 million, the stats could speak for themselves. A lifetime .325 hitter who has averaged over 40 home runs a season? Yeah, $240 million sounds like a good number to give him. But for a lifetime average of .304 and 35 home runs and has only played 5 years with a handful of injures and of the field incidents...I think I would go with a smaller contract. I mean, who in their right mind is still on the bandwagon of giving Hamilton $175 million?

My point is how that money could be divided up into giving more to the players who have actually made a difference on the team this past season. Also, there are some free agents that could replace Hamilton that has a cheaper price tag. Michael Bourn is a guy who could help produce runs and also come with a hot glove for center field. You could also help that bullpen, or even go out and get another pitcher that could help that rotation now that Colby Lewis is targeted for the All Star break to return to the lineup. Also, giving younger guys like Profar, Gentry, and Olt more opportunities to shine and also even bringing up some other guys from the farm system that this organization prides themselves in.

Josh Hamilton has made history here with the Texas Rangers. We will always remember the great moments on the field, but we will also remember the many bad memories he has given us, whether it be the throwing of the bats, or even the dropped routine fly ball in Oakland that could have wrapped up a playoff spot. Good luck Josh with getting 7 years, $175 million. Hopefully life in L.A., New York, or Boston will suit your straight-edge lifestyle better than Dallas-Fort Worth.

The Luck Of The Second Wild Card

As I sit here watching Game 5 of the NLCS, I cannot help myself but to think how crazy it could be to have the Cardinals in the World Series for another year. At the beginning of the year, they lost Albert Pujols, Dave Duncan (their pitching coach), and Tony LaRussa. Yes, they did add Carlos Beltran, but with losing LaRussa and Pujols, it seemed like a long season for them. Fortunately, Bud Selig added a second Wild Card team into the playoff mix. This new format would have the top two teams outside of the division winners play a one-game playoff to decide who the Wild Card winner is. Since 1994 when the Wild Card was created, four teams have won it all by being the the Wild Card team with St. Louis winning the Series last year. This year, they were lucky enough to get the second Wild Card spot.

Let's play the "What If" game and say what if the Cardinals beat the Giants in the NLCS and move to the World Series and beat the Detroit Tigers. Not only did they beat the Nationals in the NLDS and the Giants in the NLCS, both division winnners, but they would beat a Tiger team who won the AL Central, took down a hot/streaky team in the Oakland A's, and embarrassed the crap out of the Yankees. If that would happen, it could go down as one of the greatest stories in baseball history. Yes, the Cardinals have a good team. They got Freese, Beltran, and Molina leading the offense, and with Carpenter and their bullpen, you could say they deserved to be an elite team, but they still are that second Wild Card team who BARELY made it in!

I say good job Bud Selig for adding this extra team. I watched both Wild Card games and thought it was a definite success. First, you had the Baltimore Orioles, who has not been to the playoffs since the 1990's, beat an elite squad in the Texas Rangers, who many had winning the whole thing! If that wasn't enough, you had the Atlanta Braves, led by Chipper Jones in his farewell season, lose to the Cardinals, who many did not even pick to make the Wild Card. With all that said, I hope the Cardinals lose because I love my San Francisco Giants, but if they do beat the Giants and go ahead and mow down the Tigers, I will give much respect to Mike Matheny, their new manager, along with the entire Cardinals organization. I predict to see this new playoff system become extremely successful with the fans and also gain much revenue for the MLB. I can't believe I am saying this...but..thanks Bud Selig, but most importantly...GO BASEBALL!

Peace and Love!

D