Having recovered from pneumonia and losing 10 pounds, 29-year-old Josh Hamilton showed hopes to strengthen the line-up of Texas Rangers.
Hamilton told reporters that the Rangers had thrown in an idea about a two-year contract. He said the discussions between the Rangers and his agent Mike Moye were “moving in the right direction”.
Hamilton, the most valuable player of the American League, said the possible two-year deal still needed to be confirmed.
The Texas Rangers number 32 said his main focus in 2011 would be to get done for the next season too.
"If it's right, yeah, you'd like to do that," Hamilton said about the possibility of a two-year deal. "But if it's not and it doesn't end up where you want it, you go with the one year. If two years gets done, it's a plus and takes some of the stress off
and this whole situation doesn't have to happen next year."
Discussions on his salary had gone in vain in December 2010. Hamilton had demanded $12 million whereas the club had offered a maximum of $8.7 million.
Rangers General Manager Jon Daniel termed the talks with Hamilton’s agent as productive and positive. “It’d be a little premature for me to tell you that we’ll definitely get a deal done, but I feel like it’s moving in that direction,” Daniels said. “We’d
surely prefer to avoid the arbitration process. I know Josh and his family and Mike would as well. That’s kind of been the backdrop, and in the spirit of cooperation, we’re trying to get something done.”
Both the parties have until February 14 to come up with an agreement or they will have to appear for arbitration.
Hamilton is enjoying his time in the limelight. He hit .359 in 2010 with 32 home runs and 100 RBIs. He was not available for the team in the final month of the season, but still managed to lead the Major League season with most home runs and was declared
the MVP.
Hamilton has been leading the players’ list in Major League baseball since the start of his career. In three years, he has been selected for the all-start team three times. He set a .311 career average since his debut in 2007 for the Cincinnati Reds. He
has impressive statistics of 331 RBIs and 93 home runs in 468 MLB games and MVP in 2010.
The left-handed centre-fielder attended a practice session with his teammates on Monday and said he was feeling fit. He had stayed at hospital for six days and lost 10 pounds while being treated for pneumonia. “The bad weather we had put a little damper
on the workouts. I did a little Chuck Norris action, total gym at home, and stationary bike,” Hamilton said. “Went today and worked out with the guys, so it was good.”
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