Tommy Hunter hopes Josh Hamilton will play for Baltimore Orioles - MLB News
Josh Hamilton is one of the most discussed free agents this season. If the report is to be believed, the Baltimore Orioles is one of the many teams that have a keen interest in signing Josh for the upcoming season. The 31-year-old recently declined a qualifying
offer from his 2012 ballclub, the Texas Rangers.
His former team-mate Tommy Hunter wants him to play for the O’s. The two were together in the Rangers for four years before Hunter was traded to the Orioles along with Chris Davis for Koji Uehara.
The right-hand pitcher is all set to advice Josh to join the Baltimore ballclub if he seeks his opinion on the matter. "As for advice to give him playing here? I've enjoyed my time in Baltimore and I wouldn't see why he wouldn't either!" Hunter said.
Hunter described is former team-mate is a person who likes playing baseball and spends his free time with his family. "Josh is an awesome person and he just wants to play baseball and spend his free time with his family," he said.
The Rangers had offered the centre fielder a $13.3 million one year qualifying offer. The decline marked the end of a five season long association between the two. The left-handed hitter won the Silver Slugger Award this year and was a part of the All-Star
line-up as well. He is currently seeking a multi-year deal.
Hamilton appears to favour Camden Yards and a move could help him in boosting his batting numbers. In May this year, he spanked four home-runs in a single game against the Orioles at Orioles Park.
In 2012, he had a batting average of .471 at the Orioles home with an on-base percentage of .550. He also struck a whooping six home-runs and 12 RBI’s in a mere 17 at-bats at the venue.
Tommy Hunter believes that Josh can achieve great heights while playing for the Orioles. He suggested that playing 81 home games could mean a massive upsurge in his performance. "He likes hitting in Baltimore as evidence of what he did last year. If you’re
asking me if I want josh as a teammate again! BOOM! Who wouldn't want 40 plus home runs, 100 plus RBI’s," he said.
Hamilton’s overall numbers in 2012 were quite impressive. He maintained an average of .285 and an on-base percentage of .354. His 128 RBI’s and 43 home-runs are also nothing short of spectacular. He was second only to Miguel Cabrera in both home-runs and
RBI’s.
Josh Hamilton is on a hot streak and has massive potential to perform provided with him managing his off-field social issues. He can turn out to be an outstanding player for the Orioles as he takes a liking to their home field and can be devastating for
the pitchers elsewhere as well. Any ballclub willing to take Josh on board will have to dig quite deep into their pockets but on recent evidence, it will certainly be a worthwhile investment.
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