Josh Hamilton: The free-agent Baltimore Orioles should opt for - MLB Feature
Baltimore Orioles had a dream run in 2012. They made their first post-season entry since 1997 and played some spectacular baseball to impress everyone. They will surely like to continue this positive trend in the seasons to come and once again be consistently
competitive like the O’s of the past. They have many things to ponder this off-season, including adding some good and useful names to their roster.
The team has already removed three names from their 40 man roster by out-righting them and has some spots available. The free-agent market is up and running. The picks on offer this time around may not be as attractive as they had been on previous occasions,
with only a few big names. It still is providing some very interesting options to teams looking for value.
Players such as outfielder Josh Hamilton, pitcher Zack Greinke and outfielder Michael Bourn will attract a lot of teams. Hamilton appears to be one player that the O’s will likely give a very serious thought or so they should. The club certainly needs a
good hitter in the line-up to further bolster the batting unit. The team already has names such as Adam Jones and Matt Wieters in the line-up.
Josh becomes even more important for the team with the fact that Birds declined an $11 million option on first baseman Mark Reynolds. He did not have the best of seasons and struggled with form in the 135 games he played. His post-season batting average
of .136 did not do much good to his team’s cause.
The 31-year-old Hamilton, on the other hand, had a fantastic season. Having a batting average of .285, the left hander hit a staggering 43 home-runs and batted in 128 runs. He had a .354 on-base percentage. His team in the recently concluded season, the
Texas Rangers has forwarded him a one year deal worth $13.3 million. It is quite clear that the hitter is not in their long term plans, for now at least.
In the past, hitters of his quality would have avoided a team such as the Baltimore Orioles due to their consistently bad show. But this year’s performance can change all that. This team is showing plenty of flare and a hunger to win. Right now appears
to be the right time to join the team and ride the crest.
Hamilton has had plenty of success at the Camden Yards. Hitting at .370, the left-hander has managed nine home-runs and 26 RBI’s in a mere 20 games at the venue. Playing 81 home games on the batter friendly park could boost the hitter’s numbers astronomically.
The O’s who had a 29-9 win-loss record in single run games in 2012 will certainly be benefitting from his hitting prowess.
Josh has recently quoted that he will like to stay in an American League team if the Rangers do not sign him for 2013. He will prefer a small market environment where there is less focus and scrutiny of off-field matters.
Orioles’ general manager Dan Duquette is known to pull off major deals. He has done so on numerous occasions with his previous teams. The deciding factor in the situation is likely going to be who ever pays more will be able to sign Hamilton. The O’s will
have to bring big money on the table to sign the lefty and add an important member to their roster, one who certainly has the ability to bring a lot of success to the team.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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