Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton does not have special substance abuse cla..."/> Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton does not have special substance abuse cla..."/>
Fansided

Josh Hamilton’s contract doesn’t have substance abuse clauses

By CM Towle

Aug 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) in the dugout in the seventh inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sportss
Aug 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) in the dugout in the seventh inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sportss /
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Beleaguered Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton does not have special substance abuse clauses in his contract.

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Contrary to what Angels owner Arte Morano tried to claim Friday evening, outfielder Josh Hamilton does not have any special clauses in his contract regarding his substance abuse history, reports Hardball Talk. If anyone is unaware, the Angels are currently engaged in some type of smear campaign on Hamilton, including possibly leaking information about his substance abuse relapse. They now appear to be trying to get out of a bad contract by smearing Hamilton and making him look like the bad guy.

Morano added to that on Friday by saying that the Angels have language in Hamilton’s contract that refers to a drug relapse and that they might be planning to enforce it. Unfortunately, as HBT reports from a source close to Hamilton, the beleaguered outfielder does not have any such language in his contract. At least, it’s not language that’s any different than what’s in any other player’s contract regarding banned substances. This language is all subject to the Joint Drug Agreement and Collective Bargaining Agreement and it’s not unique to Hamilton at all.

Even if Morano thought the Angels could get out of the contract due to these standard provisions, he has another thing coming. Trying to get out of a contract due to off-field conduct won’t fly with an arbitrator.

Furthermore, the MLB Players Association confirmed the report by HBT and further added that the language is actually there to prevent exactly the sort of actions that Morano is suggesting the club might take.

Oops? This really isn’t a good look for the Angels, who should be trying to help Hamilton, not work desperately to kick him out the door when the league has already decided against punishing him. According to a report by Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Angels are well into the process of scrubbing him out of the organization. Hamilton’s locker was reassigned to second baseman Johnny Giavotella when the Angels played their home opener.

If you think that sounds normal, compare the situation with A-Rod of the Yankees. Justifiably suspended for a year for PED use and sued the Yankees, he still has his locker. It was never reassigned, just empty.

When specifically asked if Hamilton would play for the Angels again, Morano was noncommittal, but it’s fairly obvious that the Angels are prepared to do whatever they can to rid themselves of Hamilton.

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