The Los Angeles Angels made no attempt to conceal their disappointment over Josh Hamilton. It turns out the feeling was mutual, finally leading a divorce.
The Los Angeles Times reported Friday night that the Angels reached an agreement to send the enigmatic outfielder back to the Texas Rangers.
Baseball player Josh Hamilton going through two divorces
The Rangers will pick up a yet-to-be determined amount of the remainder of his five-year, $125 million deal that he signed with the Angels before the 2013 season. Los Angeles isn't getting anything else in return.
Calling the Angels acquisition of Hamilton as perhaps the worst trade in team history, the Times reported that the Angels contacted the Rangers after Hamilton rejected their plan to send him to their training facility in Arizona after he returned from the disabled list from offseason shoulder surgery.
Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson lashes out at franchise for their treatment of Josh Hamilton
The split was inevitable after Hamilton self-reported a drug and alcohol relapse in February. When an arbitrator ruled that Hamilton did not violate his drug treatment program and would not be suspended, Angels management expressed their ire over the ruling.
Hamilton batted .255 with 31 home runs in 240 games over two years with Los Angeles. He returns to the Rangers, where he was one of the game's most prolific hitters.
Hamilton won the American League Most Valuable Player Award after hitting 32 home runs and knocking in 100 runs in 2010. And that year ranked only as No. 3 for home run and RBI production during his Rangers career. He had 32 homers and 130 RBI in 2008 and 43 home runs and 128 RBI in 2012.
Which could explain the Rangers players welcoming him back with open arms.
"It's not the first time he did something wrong off the field," Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said of Hamilton to reporters before the Rangers played the Angels on Friday.
"But I think we did a great job having his back whenever something happened. We're going to support him no matter what happens. We're human beings. We're not perfect. As long as he shows up on the field and plays hard, I'll always support him."
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