How much are you willing to offer Josh Hamilton?

[claydude14]

Sign me up to play for the White Sox for 7 years

[max power]

I agree with the guy who said 4-90. Yeah he might get hurt some, but the sox need an elite bat like that. Not concerned with his drug use at all. Don't care.

[chw42]

Hamilton's bad news. Do not want.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I agree with the guy who said 4-90. Yeah he might get hurt some, but the sox need an elite bat like that. Not concerned with his drug use at all. Don't care.

 

Sup.

[Cali]

I don't even know if Hamilton will be in the league in 4-5 years. He can't play a full season and he's proven that he can and will fall off the wagon. Too risky. Either of those two things I mentioned will be contributing factors to his lack of time left.

 

Such a shame. Imagine if he could have stayed clean? What kind of numbers would he have right now? He could easily have Pujols like numbers maybe even better...

[Buehrle>Wood]

If there's ever a superstar the sox can get a discount on, its him. We should look into it. Five years, 110.

[Lillian]

Most “big market” teams have a high priced star offensive player. The Sox will almost certainly have to find one after Konerko, Rios and Dunn are gone. Hamilton, signed to a long term deal, could be that guy.

Hamilton will be 32 this season. He should have 5 good years left, at least.

If you add the possibility of him DH’ing perhaps he has 7 or 8 years. An addition of Hamilton would be a "no brainer" for the next couple of years. Of course, it's the long term that gives any GM pause.

$25 million per year for the next 5 years is reasonable. He should still be worth close to half of that in years 7 and 8. $150 million for 7 years should be acceptable, if he would take it.

 

However, the question is; whether or not there would be room on the payroll for such an addition. The long term commitment is the biggest concern. In that regard, the Sox are in the enviable position of having almost no money committed past 2014.

The only two players under contract for 2015 are Ramirez and Danks:

 

Alexei Ramirez

13:$7M, 14:$9.5M, 15:$10M, 16:$10M club option ($1M buyout)

 

John Danks

13:$14.25M, 14:$14.25M, 15:$14.25M, 16:$14.25M

 

If you look at the 3 year "board", and try to imagine whom management is anticipating might be on the roster, you could project something like this for 2015 and or 2016, with Hamilton added:

 

CF K. Walker (Tekotte, J. Mitchell)

2B C. Sanchez

DH J. Hamilton

RF C. Hawkins

1B K. Barnum

C T. Flowers

LF T. Thompson

3B ?

SS Ramirez

 

SP Danks

Sales

Quintana

Castro

 

Bullpen

 

Santiago

Reed

Jones

Veal

 

There is potentially a lot of young talent that could fill out the roster, at a low cost. Then there are all of the unknown names that could be added along the way through the draft or trades. The absence of current long term contracts, coupled with some of the promising youngsters who are still 2 or 3 years from being ready to begin MLB service time, might actually give the Sox a little room to contemplate signing Hamilton. Why not go for it now, and see what happens after Dunn, Rios, Konerko, Peavy and some of the other guys are gone after 2014. Until then, that lineup would sure look good with Hamilton's left handed bat.

Edited November 11, 2012 by Lillian

[Dick Allen]

Most “big market” teams have a high priced star offensive player. The Sox will almost certainly have to find one after Konerko, Rios and Dunn are gone. Hamilton, signed to a long term deal, could be that guy.

Hamilton will be 32 this season. He should have 5 good years left, at least.

If you add the possibility of him DH’ing perhaps he has 7 or 8 years.

$25 million per year for the next 5 years is reasonable. He should still be worth close to half of that in years 7 and 8. $150 million for 7 years should be acceptable, if he would take it.

 

However, the question is; whether or not there would be room on the payroll for such an addition. The long term commitment is the biggest concern. In that regard, the Sox are in the enviable position of having almost no money committed past 2014.

The only two players under contract for 2015 are Ramirez and Danks:

 

Alexei Ramirez

13:$7M, 14:$9.5M, 15:$10M, 16:$10M club option ($1M buyout)

 

John Danks

13:$14.25M, 14:$14.25M, 15:$14.25M, 16:$14.25M

 

If you look at the 3 year "board", and try to imagine whom management is anticipating might be on the roster, you could project something like this for 2015 and or 2016, with Hamilton added:

 

CF K. Walker (Tekotte, J. Mitchell)

2B C. Sanchez

DH J. Hamilton

RF C. Hawkins

1B K. Barnum

C T. Flowers

LF T. Thompson

3B ?

SS Ramirez

 

SP Danks

Sales

Quintana

Castro

 

Bullpen

 

Santiago

Reed

Jones

Veal

 

There is potentially a lot of young talent that could fill out the roster, at a low cost. That might actually give the Sox a little room to contemplate signing Hamilton. Why not go for it now, and see what happens after Dunn, Rios, Konerko, Peavy and some of the other guys are gone after 2014. Until then, that lineup would sure look good with Hamilton's left handed bat.

The thing that would scare me is the team that really knows him best, and throws money around like it's nothing, is only willing to go 3 years.

[Lillian]

The thing that would scare me is the team that really knows him best, and throws money around like it's nothing, is only willing to go 3 years.

 

I haven't looked, but perhaps the Rangers already have too much money committed to other long term contracts.

[Dick Allen]

I haven't looked, but perhaps the Rangers already have too much money committed to other long term contracts.

If they are willing to pay him for 3 years, I doubt they have much committed beyond that, but perhaps they are projecting what their younger guys will be making in 4 or 5 years, although it's rare a young core stays together that long. Hamilton has missed a lot of games in his career even while posting huge numbers. You would have to think that probably won't change and could get worse as he ages. If he didn't have the issues he has had, on the field he is exactly what the White Sox need. The problem is, it is something that can just as easily blow up in their face, and not many want to take the responsibility if that happened. I think some owner will decide his team needs Hamilton and will open the checkbook. The Sox don't operate like that.

Edited November 11, 2012 by Dick Allen

[The Ultimate Champion]

The way I look at it is that, if you sign Hamilton, there's a good chance you're going to get a player worth between $13-18M annually for a pricetag well above $20M per with enough years attached to make the deal immovable should you need the payroll space.

 

There are lots of red flags on Hamilton, including injury risk, off field drug/alcohol related risk, the Texas hitting factor, the Texas lineup protection factor, the second half last season, etc. Look at his career stats while omitting the 2010 .359/.411/.633 and tell me that he's a $25M player. Sure, that 2010 season he was, in fact he was worth even more than that, but any other years? I don't think so.

 

Keep in mind that this guy is going to get one hell of a payday and isn't going to have to play for another contract for probably at least the next 4 years. To this point we've been talking about a player trying to play himself into the league, then trying to play himself into a starting role, then into paydays via arbitration, and recently he's been playing for a big FA deal. For an ex-druggie especially, but really for any player under any circumstances, 4 years is a long time for a player to have to motivate himself to the same level of performance that he achieved with all those carrots dangling out in front of him.

 

Just look at this man statistically and how his OBP & HR totals fluctuate. He needed 704 PA in 2008 to hit 32 bombs in Texas; he needed a more reasonable 571 to hit the same amount in 2010, but he hit only 25 in 538 PA in 2011, and that makes his total of 43 last year look more like the exception than the rule. And make no mistake, for $25M per you're buying a home run hitter.

 

Best (reasonable) scenario for Hamilton IMO is he's a very good, mostly All-Star type player over 5 years who is probably worth about $16M per on average. We'd probably end up paying something like $115M for that $80M or so in production. My own personal opinion is that Alex Rios, who is also a risk, may very well just be coming into his own, and we already have that guy at a much more reasonable contract length and salary. Hamilton is going to put up better numbers overall, but really, is the difference between Alex Rios & Hamilton so much money per season ($12.5M if Hamilton gets his $25M) that it pays for another high-level starting pitcher or position player? Again, I don't think so.

 

I say let Hamilton get his bad contract elsewhere. I would like to see the Sox largely continue to target less risky players who have room for improvement beyond their pay.

[The Ultimate Champion]

Most “big market” teams have a high priced star offensive player. The Sox will almost certainly have to find one after Konerko, Rios and Dunn are gone. Hamilton, signed to a long term deal, could be that guy.

Hamilton will be 32 this season. He should have 5 good years left, at least.

If you add the possibility of him DH’ing perhaps he has 7 or 8 years. An addition of Hamilton would be a "no brainer" for the next couple of years. Of course, it's the long term that gives any GM pause.

$25 million per year for the next 5 years is reasonable. He should still be worth close to half of that in years 7 and 8. $150 million for 7 years should be acceptable, if he would take it.

 

However, the question is; whether or not there would be room on the payroll for such an addition. The long term commitment is the biggest concern. In that regard, the Sox are in the enviable position of having almost no money committed past 2014.

The only two players under contract for 2015 are Ramirez and Danks:

 

Alexei Ramirez

13:$7M, 14:$9.5M, 15:$10M, 16:$10M club option ($1M buyout)

 

John Danks

13:$14.25M, 14:$14.25M, 15:$14.25M, 16:$14.25M

 

If you look at the 3 year "board", and try to imagine whom management is anticipating might be on the roster, you could project something like this for 2015 and or 2016, with Hamilton added:

 

CF K. Walker (Tekotte, J. Mitchell)

2B C. Sanchez

DH J. Hamilton

RF C. Hawkins

1B K. Barnum

C T. Flowers

LF T. Thompson

3B ?

SS Ramirez

 

SP Danks

Sales

Quintana

Castro

 

Bullpen

 

Santiago

Reed

Jones

Veal

 

There is potentially a lot of young talent that could fill out the roster, at a low cost. Then there are all of the unknown names that could be added along the way through the draft or trades. The absence of current long term contracts, coupled with some of the promising youngsters who are still 2 or 3 years from being ready to begin MLB service time, might actually give the Sox a little room to contemplate signing Hamilton. Why not go for it now, and see what happens after Dunn, Rios, Konerko, Peavy and some of the other guys are gone after 2014. Until then, that lineup would sure look good with Hamilton's left handed bat.

There are some of our top prospects in there but of Walker, Thompson & Mitchell IMO you can hope for 1 and count on 0; between Sanchez, Hawkins & Barnum I think you can hope for 2 and count on 1. And in 3 years it will be hard for the Sox to afford Chris Sale if he stays healthy and produces like he did last year.

 

Generally it's a bad idea for a team with $100-120M payrolls in mind to justify committing 1/4 - 1/5 of their payroll space to 1 player. Add in all the other issues and it's a no-brainer.

 

No to Hamilton.

[ewokpelts]

Terrible post.

 

I really recommend his book to all of you, it's a great read. I believe he's changed his life around for good.

 

A. It's a JOKE.

 

And B. I already said why he's not worth it.

 

[2nd_city_saint787]

A. It's a JOKE.

 

And B. I already said why he's not worth it.

 

Yesterday just wasn't my day (Personal reasons) and I was truly bothered by the drug jokes. I couldn't get on board with them because I really pull for the guy. He gets a bad rap for his past which is to be expected I reckon. I viewed them as childish to be honest, but once again I wasnt in the mood yesterday, today I get them. har har har, funny stuff.

 

BTW Hamilton only missed 14 games last year.

 

 

[Lillian]

If we put this discussion about Hamilton in the proper perspective, the larger point continues to be that the Sox desperately need a potent, high OBP, left handed bat. Not only is the line up weighted too heavily toward right handed hitters, but there isn't a single left handed threat that would force an opposing manager to go the pen for a left hander.

Does anyone seriously believe that an opposing manager is going to remove a right handed pitcher, just to face Adam Dunn, much less de Aza?

 

There are far more right handed starters and relievers, than there are southpaws, and the Sox don't have a threat to exploit it. It's not only important in any given game, but in a typical 3 game series, it is advantageous to "burn" through the opposing team's pen, early in the series.

 

So the question is; "Whom do the Sox go after"? Is it Chase Headley, Josh Hamilton, or someone else?

You can forget about Hahn trying to acquire a right handed hitter. I'm confident that is not going to happen.

If he gets anyone, it will be a solid left handed hitter. Trading Viciedo, Floyd, Thornton and even Beckham would all be worth the price, if it gets this team the bat it needs.

Edited November 11, 2012 by Lillian

[TaylorStSox]

Old, alcoholic, drug addict, Jesus freak. Sign me up!

[2nd_city_saint787]

If we put this discussion about Hamilton in the proper perspective, the larger point continues to be that the Sox desperately need a potent, high OBP, left handed bat. Not only is the line up weighted too heavily toward right handed hitters, but there isn't a single left handed threat that would force an opposing manager to go the pen for a left hander.

Does anyone seriously believe that an opposing manager is going to remove a right handed pitcher, just to face Adam Dunn, much less de Aza?

 

There are far more right handed starters and relievers, than there are southpaws, and the Sox don't have a threat to exploit it. It's not only important in any given game, but in a typical 3 game series, it is advantageous to "burn" through the opposing team's pen, early in the series.

 

So the question is; "Whom do the Sox go after"? Is it Chase Headley, Josh Hamilton, or someone else?

You can forget about Hahn trying to acquire a right handed hitter. I'm confident that is not going to happen.

If he gets anyone, it will be a solid left handed hitter. Trading Viciedo, Floyd, Thornton and even Beckham would all be worth the price, if it gets this team the bat it needs.

 

Well said except for the Adam Dunn part, he's still a threat against RHP.

[max power]

Old, alcoholic, drug addict, Jesus freak. Sign me up!

You aren't hiring him to watch your kids. He hit baseball.

[southsider2k5]

If we put this discussion about Hamilton in the proper perspective, the larger point continues to be that the Sox desperately need a potent, high OBP, left handed bat. Not only is the line up weighted too heavily toward right handed hitters, but there isn't a single left handed threat that would force an opposing manager to go the pen for a left hander.

Does anyone seriously believe that an opposing manager is going to remove a right handed pitcher, just to face Adam Dunn, much less de Aza?

 

There are far more right handed starters and relievers, than there are southpaws, and the Sox don't have a threat to exploit it. It's not only important in any given game, but in a typical 3 game series, it is advantageous to "burn" through the opposing team's pen, early in the series.

 

So the question is; "Whom do the Sox go after"? Is it Chase Headley, Josh Hamilton, or someone else?

You can forget about Hahn trying to acquire a right handed hitter. I'm confident that is not going to happen.

If he gets anyone, it will be a solid left handed hitter. Trading Viciedo, Floyd, Thornton and even Beckham would all be worth the price, if it gets this team the bat it needs.

 

Dunn always gets the opposing teams best lefty reliever in late inning situations.

[TaylorStSox]

You aren't hiring him to watch your kids. He hit baseball.

LOL. This is true.

[southsider2k5]

Honestly any conversation with the White Sox and Hamilton is a waste of breath. The Sox are up against their payroll as is, and they aren't about to unload enough payroll guys to bring in a guy like Hamilton. Even if the Sox had the money, the guy is the wrong side of 30, expensive, and an ex-hardcore drug user. There is nothing about Josh Hamilton that makes him a remotely realistic topic of conversation for Sox fans.

[Soxfest]

No to JH!

[Lillian]

Honestly any conversation with the White Sox and Hamilton is a waste of breath. The Sox are up against their payroll as is, and they aren't about to unload enough payroll guys to bring in a guy like Hamilton. Even if the Sox had the money, the guy is the wrong side of 30, expensive, and an ex-hardcore drug user. There is nothing about Josh Hamilton that makes him a remotely realistic topic of conversation for Sox fans.

 

After reading all of the posts, and thinking more about it, I have to agree with you. So, whom should the Sox go after?

I see that it has been speculated it would take 4 years, and $40 million to resign Headley. If that is the case, would you like to see the Sox trade and extend him?

[2nd_city_saint787]

Honestly any conversation with the White Sox and Hamilton is a waste of breath. The Sox are up against their payroll as is, and they aren't about to unload enough payroll guys to bring in a guy like Hamilton. Even if the Sox had the money, the guy is the wrong side of 30, expensive, and an ex-hardcore drug user. There is nothing about Josh Hamilton that makes him a remotely realistic topic of conversation for Sox fans.

 

It's just something to think about in the offseason, won't happen but its fun to speculate.

 

I really like Josh. I don't read many books but I've read his multiple times and it's made me respect the guy. You guys obviously don't respect him and thats ok, you don't know his story.

 

I'm not a salary guy so I'm probably gonna be wrong in saying.. If they trade Rios, Thornton, and Floyds combined 27 million dollars you save the 25 mill Josh wants. Trading those guys you should be able to get a young cost effective 3B and possibly a young RH starter, LH bullpen arm, or C as well. If not you still have the money they were planning on using on a 3B to fill a hole in SP (like a BMac) and a LH bullpen guy if there's not already a replacement in house. You couple all that with with the money saved on letting AJ and Myers walk and in my salary ignorant head that sounds like its still around the same salary as last year. I know I'm not accounting for existing players making a mill or more this year compared to last year but that shouldn't be too much.

 

Let's say, just for conversation, they pull off a trade with Seattle sending them Rios and Quintana to Seattle for Seagar and Jaso. Then they trade Matt and Gavin for some prospects.

 

Battle it out with..

 

1. De Aza

2. Ramirez

3. Hamilton

4. Konerko

5. Dunn

6. Viecedo

7. Seager

8. Beckham

9. Jaso

 

1. Sale

2. Peavy

3. Danks

4. BMac

5. Santiago

 

 

Thats a damn good team right there.

 

But I think its just a time killer to talk about and in the slow days of the threads I enjot talking about it.

 

 

 

 

[Real]

I'd do 5/$125. Not my money so that's not an issue, but years wise I wouldn't want to go more than 5.

 

agreed, 5/125 would be my offer but I know the Sox can't afford this