Texas slugger knows he has long road ahead and won’t be able to play this season, but he believes he will be ready for spring training in 2017. However, will there be anything left in the tank to help the Rangers?
Josh Hamilton is pain free.
Seven weeks after his ACL was reconstructed, the Rangers are probably thanking their lucky stars that their slugging star is ahead of schedule and he expects to be 100 percent when spring camp opens next season, according to a report at ESPN. There is one catch, though. If Texas does not trade one of its outfield assets to gets some pitching help, where exactly will he fit on the roster?
The 35-year old has not played very much recently, appearing in just 89 games in 2014, 50 last season and none this year. The June 8 surgery in Houston also repaired meniscus and lateral cartilage in the knee and even if he shows up in Surprise, AZ in February ready to go, his ability to be an effective outfield might be compromised.
Barring any last minute deals before the deadline, the Rangers have a surplus of corner outfielders with Shin-Soo Choo, Nomar Mazara and Joey Gallo; the team has plenty of options at designated hitter as well. First baseman Prince Fielder is having his second neck surgery in three years and could wind up as the permanent DH.
A nine-year veteran who was a prized outfield prospect of the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays as their first overall pick in the 1999 draft, Hamilton has had his share of issues with drugs and alcohol, and injuries have derailed his career after finally making it to the majors with a big splash. He has belted 200 homers and driven in 701 with a career .290/.349/.516 slashline, however, his age is something that concerns Texas brass.
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Hamilton enjoyed the bulk of his success with the Rangers because he had a solid support system in place for his personal issues and it was a surprise when he bolted for the Angels as a free agent prior to the 2013 season. After two forgettable seasons, Texas re-acquired him hoping they could rebuild his confidence and reestablish that support system. Unfortunately, he cannot stay in the lineup.
Should Hamilton make it all the way back, health-wise, it puts the Rangers in a difficult position. How do they proceed this year through the non-waiver trade deadline and even doing a waiver deal before October, much less plan for 2017? And maybe the biggest question of all will be, will there be any life left in his bat?
As the old saying goes, “Inquiring minds want to know.”
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