April 25, 2015 Page 1 of 36
Clips (April 25, 2015)
April 25, 2015 Page 2 of 36
Today’s Clips Contents
FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3) Josh Hamilton could be a former Angel soon; trade to Rangers possible Angels reach agreement to trade Josh Hamilton to Rangers Angels players express support for Josh Hamilton amid trade reports David Freese, Garrett Richards lead Angels to 3-2 win over Rangers
FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 7) Angels working to deal Josh Hamilton back to Texas Moura: Rangers likely to benefit from arrogance of Angels owner Moreno Smith: Angels are unforgiving to Hamilton, an admitted addict Angels Notes: Grant Green could help offense Back in Salt Lake, Navarro says he'll focus on utility role in effort to return to Angels Freese's homer makes Richards a winner in 3-2 victory over Rangers On deck: Rangers at Angels, Saturday, 6 p.m.
FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 17) Source: Rangers to trade for Halos' Hamilton Scioscia says Hamilton's needs were met with Angels Hamilton back to Rangers a welcome reunion Freese's two-run shot seals Richards' first win Richards declares himself to be '100 percent' after arduous rehab Former teammates Wilson, Lewis set to face off
FROM FOX SPORTS (Page 25) Source: Angels close to trading Josh Hamilton to Rangers Angels call up utility man Grant Green Richards picks up first win of season as Angels defeat Rangers
FROM THE LA DAILY NEWS (Page 27) Los Angeles Angels on verge of trading Josh Hamilton and correcting mistakes by both parties
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 29) Freese's homer in 7th helps Richards, Angels top Rangers 3-2 Rangers-Angels Preview
FROM ESPN (Page 32) Angels could regret Hamilton decision Numbers say Josh Hamilton's best days are behind him
April 25, 2015 Page 3 of 36
FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
Josh Hamilton could be a former Angel soon; trade to Rangers possible
By Bill Shaikin
The Angels are in talks with Josh Hamilton that could result in the troubled outfielder leaving the team within 72 hours, according to a person familiar with the matter who is not authorized to discuss it publicly.
The Angels are expected to trade Hamilton to his former team, the Texas Rangers. The Angels are more likely to receive cash considerations than any players in return for Hamilton, the person said.
Although the Angels had announced a plan to send Hamilton to their Arizona training facility as soon as this week to prepare for a comeback, Hamilton balked at the plan. It is believed Hamilton would like to play for a club close to his Texas home.
The Rangers are reportedly interested in a reunion with Hamilton, an All-Star in each of his five years in Texas, according to the Rangers' website. Hamilton has never been an All-Star in his three seasons outside Texas, two with the Angels and one with the Cincinnati Reds.
The Angels owe Hamilton $83 million through 2017. With a trade or other settlement, the Angels could save a small part of that money. If the Angels tried to void his contract, they would set up an arbitration fight with the players union.
"They're considering a lot of options," a second person familiar with the matter said. "I don't think they're provoking a legal fight."
After Hamilton reported a relapse in his battle with substance abuse, an arbitrator ruled he had not violated his drug treatment program and could not be suspended by Major League Baseball. Angels owner Arte Moreno, asked whether Hamilton would play again for the team, said: "I will not say that."
SI.com first reported that Hamilton could be within days of leaving the Angels.
Angels reach agreement to trade Josh Hamilton to Rangers
By Bill Shaikin
In the end, there was no fight. Josh Hamilton could get to go home, and Angels owner Arte Moreno could get to rid his team of the troubled outfielder and save himself a few bucks in the process.
The Angels agreed Friday to trade Hamilton to the Texas Rangers, without getting a player in return, according to a person briefed on the deal but not authorized to discuss it. Instead, the Rangers will assume a very small portion of the $83 million left on Hamilton's contract, one that might well end up as the worst in Angels history.
Although the Angels had announced a plan to send Hamilton to their Arizona training facility as soon as this week to prepare for a comeback, Hamilton balked at the plan and told them he wanted to play in April 25, 2015 Page 4 of 36
Texas. Hamilton, who has four children and filed for divorce in February, makes his off-season home in Texas.
The trade had not been submitted to the commissioner's office for approval as of Friday night. A second person familiar with the deal said it could take several days to complete and said the amount of financial relief the Angels would get was "still under discussion." The players' union would allow Hamilton to give back a small amount of money because he would benefit by playing in Texas, where there is no state income tax.
The deal would return Hamilton to the team with which he enjoyed his greatest triumphs, including a most valuable player season in 2010. The deal also would leave the Angels with a gaping hole in their lineup, with the two players that batted cleanup most often last season — Hamilton and Howie Kendrick — traded without any return for the major league club.
After Hamilton reported a relapse in his battle with substance abuse, an arbitrator ruled he had not violated his drug treatment program, so he did not have to go into a rehabilitation program and could not be suspended. Angels management was livid, with President John Carpino saying the ruling "defies logic" and Moreno pointedly refusing to say Hamilton would play for the Angels again.
Moreno also said Hamilton's contract contained language that would protect the Angels from a relapse, an assertion vigorously denied by the players' union. An attempt to enforce any such language almost certainly would have resulted in another arbitration hearing.
When the Angels signed Hamilton in 2012 — to a five-year, $125-million contract — Moreno said the contract contained no such language.
Hamilton had two decent seasons in Anaheim — marred by injury, and far from his spectacular days in Texas — batting .255 with a 31 home runs in 240 games. After he went hitless as the Angels were swept from the playoffs by the Kansas City Royals last October, he said he could not say what the Angels might expect from him in 2015.
"Who knows?" Hamilton said. "What do you think, I'm a fortune teller?"
He becomes the third high-priced outfielder acquired under Moreno and then dumped with at least two years left on his contract, following Gary Matthews Jr. and Vernon Wells. The Angels ended up paying all but $2 million of Matthews' five-year, $50-million contract and all but $14 million of the four years and $68 million they inherited on Wells' contract.
In Hamilton's five years in Texas — with a support program the Angels said they copied to help him in his battles against cocaine and alcohol — he made the All-Star team every year. He also had two well- publicized relapses, leading Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus to suggest the Rangers would support him after this year's relapse.
"It's not the first time he did something wrong off the field," Andrus told 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."
April 25, 2015 Page 5 of 36
Hamilton had shoulder surgery in February. He has not played this season; the Angels projected his return in early June.
"If he's one of our teammates, whoever is in this clubhouse is going to support him no matter what," Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre said.
"If he comes here, we hope he's healthy. We hope his mind is in a good position and he has the support that he needs to be the Josh that we all know he can be productive, the Josh who helped us go to the World Series in 2011, the Josh who was the club MVP the last three years he was here."
Even as Angels management had appeared to distance itself from Hamilton, the Angels players had remained supportive.
"He's been a great guy to us," catcher Chris Iannetta said. "We wish him nothing but the best. We hope he gets back and we want to see him soon."
Said pitcher C.J. Wilson: "If he gets back on the field, that's good for him. That's it. I think it's good for baseball if he's back on the field."
Wilson, who also played with Hamilton in Texas, said it would not be fair to say the Angels could have duplicated the clubhouse environment that contributed to Hamilton's success with the Rangers.
"Unless you have a 3-D printer, it's hard to duplicate things," Wilson said. "That's like saying that somebody used to date a girl, and she was like this, and now you want your new girl to be like that. Everything is its own situation every year.
"The nature of baseball is to constantly look forward to the next challenge and try to get the most out of it. The next challenge for Josh is to get back on the field and put all of this behind him."
Angels players express support for Josh Hamilton amid trade reports
By Gary Klein
As The Times and other media outlets were reporting the Angels’ impending trade of Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers on Friday, Angels players spoke of their support for the troubled outfielder before their game against the Rangers at Angel Stadium.
“We’ve been dealing with this since spring,” said outfielder Mike Trout, the reigning American League most valuable player. “We kind of put it behind us and we’re hoping for the best for him.
“Sad situation. But he’s a teammate, he’s a good friend of ours. I’m hearing rumors that he’s getting traded so it’s definitely going to be different … but we wish him the best."
Pitcher C.J. Wilson, Hamilton’s teammate with the Rangers for four seasons before signing with the Angels after the 2011 season, said he had no knowledge of a trade but intimated that Hamilton would benefit from a return to the field, regardless of the team.
“No matter what the situation is, Josh is going to pick up a 35-inch bat and go swing,” Wilson said. “That’s what he’s good at, and I think that’s what he needs to be doing right now.” April 25, 2015 Page 6 of 36
Manager Mike Scioscia declined to speculate about a trade and said Hamilton’s situation had not been a distraction for Angels players.
“Whatever course this takes, it takes,” he said. “And we’re just going to focus on playing baseball.”
In the aftermath of Hamilton’s struggles at the plate in 2014, outfielder Matt Joyce was acquired in an off-season trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to help bolster the offense.
Joyce said he was aware of reports that Hamilton could be traded.
“Everybody has a job in here and everybody has something to work on and focus on,” he said. “That’s where our mind’s at.”
David Freese, Garrett Richards lead Angels to 3-2 win over Rangers
By Gary Klein
KEY MOMENT: David Freese belted a two-run home run over the center field wall with two out in seventh inning to put the Angels ahead, 3-2. Freese's homer came against reliever Keone Kela and scored Mike Trout, who had reached on a fielder's choice and then made it to second base on his fifth steal. Albert Pujols lined out to Kela before Freese stepped in and, with a full count, delivered his homer.
AT THE PLATE: A night after getting only one hit, the Angels produced eight. Designated hitter C.J. Cron had three hits, including a double, and scored a run. Chris Iannetta drove in his first run of the season with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. The Angels left eight runners on base. They had runners at first and third with one out in the second inning against starter Wandy Rodriguez, but Collin Cowgill and Iannetta struck out. They loaded the bases in the third, but Erick Aybar hit a fly ball to center field to end the inning. Cron led off the sixth with his double against reliever Tanner Scheppers.
ON THE MOUND: Garrett Richards impressed in his second start. He gave up two earned runs and three hits in seven innings, struck out five and walked three. He threw 98 pitches, 67 strikes. Joe Smith retired the side in order in the eighth. Huston Street pitched the ninth, issuing a two-out walk before pinch runner Delino DeShields stole second and advanced to third on Iannetta's throwing error. Street walked Shin-Soo Choo and then got Elvis Andrus to ground out to Freese at third base for his sixth save.
ON THE MOVE: Pitcher Nick Tropeano, who pitched six scoreless innings in Thursday night's 2-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics, was optioned to triple-A Salt Lake. Infielder Grant Green was recalled to the majors.
UP NEXT: Left-hander C.J. Wilson (1-2, 3.54 ERA), pushed back in the rotation because of elbow stiffness after his last start, will pitch for the Angels at 6 p.m. Colby Lewis (1-1, 3.79) will pitch for the Rangers. TV: Fox Sports West; Radio: 830, 1330
April 25, 2015 Page 7 of 36
FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Angels working to deal Josh Hamilton back to Texas
BY JEFF FLETCHER
ANAHEIM – The Angels are working on a deal to send embattled outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers, ending his tumultuous time in Southern California.
The Angels have not announced a deal, and the details of how much the Angels would get back remain unclear. Multiple reports indicated the Angels would get no players, only some salary relief, a sign of just how much Hamilton's relationship with the club had deteriorated.
Hamilton had struggled on the field with the Angels, and after his self-reported relapse of cocaine and alcohol use in February, there seemed to be a rift between him and Angels management.
Hamilton’s salary for the final three years of his deal is $83 million, and he’s also owed $6 million as part of his initial $10 million signing bonus. The Angels also agreed to pay $400,000 a year to his charity.
Yahoo! Sports reported that the Rangers were paying about $15 million for Hamilton over the remaining three years.
The news would end a saga that has been ongoing for nearly two months, since news broke that Hamilton had self-reported a relapse involving cocaine and alcohol.
After a month of evaluation from Major League Baseball, an arbitrator finally ruled that there could be no discipline against Hamilton because his actions did not constitute a violation of his drug treatment program.
That prompted comments from Angels owner Arte Moreno, President John Carpino and General Manager Jerry Dipoto all expressing disappointment in Hamilton and the process.
The perceived rift between the Angels and Hamilton did not extend into the clubhouse, though. As news of the potential deal spread through the clubhouse Friday afternoon, players expressed support for Hamilton.
“As a teammate of Josh’s he was one of my good friends,” Mike Trout said. “If it’s true it (stinks), but we wish him the best.”
Said Jered Weaver: “All I can say is I want the best for Josh. Put the baseball stuff aside, just him getting back to where he wants to be as a person.”
C.J. Wilson, who played with Hamilton in Texas and saw him last weekend in Houston, also said a deal could be good.
“If he gets back on the field, it's good for him,” Wilson said. “It’s good for baseball.”
April 25, 2015 Page 8 of 36
Wilson was one of at least four players to meet with Hamilton last weekend in Houston, where he has been rehabbing from his shoulder surgery. They all reported that Hamilton was in a good state of mind and was ready to resume baseball activities.
Dipoto said earlier this week that the Angels were planning to have Hamilton report to extended spring training in Arizona “sooner rather than later” to continue his rehab. There was no announced plan of what would happen beyond that, though.
Hamilton signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels in December 2013, after a stellar five years with the Rangers.
Hamilton hit .255 with 31 homers and 123 RBI in two seasons with the Angels, including .263 with 10 homers and 44 RBI in an injury-shortened season in 2014.
Hamilton missed most of September with a shoulder injury. He came back just for the playoffs, but went hitless in three playoff games and was showered with boos at Angel Stadium.
Over the winter, Hamilton attempted to allow his shoulder to heal by resting it, but once he ramped up his workouts he felt more pain. He opted to have surgery to repair his right AC joint on Feb. 4.
The Angels said the timeline for Hamilton’s rehab was six to eight weeks, but it was more than 10 weeks before he received medical clearance to resume full baseball activity.
Whether Hamilton can come back to be the player he was in Texas remains to be seen, but it seems apparent now that it won't happen with the Angels.
“I think he would like to come here and prove to the Angels organization what kind of player they bought in free agency,” Weaver said. “There were signs of it when he was here, regardless of what was going on health wise and the things he was battling through body wise. We know the player that he is and the player he can be. If it's not in an Angels uniform we wish him the best, but I can't say much because nothing has been said.”
Trout said Hamilton remains a dangerous hitter, and now he might be one the Angels have to deal with as an opponent in their division.
“Anytime Josh steps on the field he's a threat to go deep,” Trout said. “It’s going to be different.”
Moura: Rangers likely to benefit from arrogance of Angels owner Moreno
BY PEDRO MOURA
ANAHEIM – Arte Moreno was the only one who wanted to bring Josh Hamilton to the Angels. Now he’s the only one who wants to get rid of him. Fitting, isn’t it?
The Angels owner gets what he wants. The adverse effects his desires might inflict on others are of only minor importance.
Regarding Friday’s news the Angels are close to sending Hamilton home to Texas, this must be said: The Angels players would have welcomed him back to their team – some with wider arms than others, April 25, 2015 Page 9 of 36 but all to some degree. Manager Mike Scioscia would have been OK with adding more offensive potential to his team. General Manager Jerry Dipoto would have, too.
The only sensible conclusion, then, is that Moreno made the ultimate decision to dispose of Hamilton, just as he made the ultimate decision 29 months ago to guarantee him $125 million when no one else thought it prudent to do so.
Moreno will end up paying more than $100 million for two seasons of post-prime Hamilton – two seasons of slightly-above-average production that came far short of Moreno’s expectations, but not really all that short of what reasonable projections foretold.
Chances are, he’ll be worth more than the $15 million or so the division-rival Rangers are reportedly agreeing to pay him over the next three years. Chances are, Texas will benefit from Moreno’s arrogance.
One man making massive decisions on his own is problematic enough. When that man isn’t well-versed in the field he’s making those decisions, it can be disastrous. And the last two months have been a disaster for Hamilton and the Angels. It must be more difficult for the rational, conscientious fan to cheer for this team now than it was in the winter.
Obviously, Hamilton’s not blameless. He started the torrent by relapsing on drugs and alcohol in February and reporting that directly to Major League Baseball, not to the Angels. The reason for the latter act is misguided but clear, based on his previous actions: He didn’t feel supported by the franchise or its fans.
It seems fair to say the end of his tenure in Texas and the two years in Anaheim changed him.
He thought he was beloved before Rangers fans booed him incessantly when he struggled in the team’s wild-card game loss in October 2012. Afterward, he pointedly referred to the book of Matthew, saying, “I think about the bible verse that says if they don’t receive you in town, then shake the dust off your feet and move on.”
And then he heard the boos at Angel Stadium during Game 1 of last year’s division series, his first game in two weeks because of shoulder injuries.
“I’m like, seriously?” he said five days later. “I’m out for a month, put all kinds of poison in my body to even attempt to play, and get booed.
“Whatever. It’s kind of comical. I don’t take offense to it because they don’t know me. There is no personal interaction.”
Personal interaction is what sold Moreno on Hamilton in December 2012, to hear the owner tell it. Moreno, his wife and Angels president John Carpino met with Hamilton’s family in Dallas to woo them. Hamilton autographed copies of his book, “Beyond Belief,” for them, and they talked about “his history,” as Moreno called it earlier this month.
“We had a great afternoon,” Moreno said.
April 25, 2015 Page 10 of 36
That might have been the last extended conversation the two men shared. Moreno admitted two weeks ago he hadn’t spoken to Hamilton since the start of the Angels’ three-game playoff stint in October.
He said he was too disappointed in Hamilton to talk to him, a truly ridiculous statement, considering the only offense Hamilton committed was a repeat of previous ones. Moreno had no problems with those when he was still a star.
Hamilton is so much more of a success than he is a failure, a fact Moreno clearly cannot comprehend. A decade ago, the man was due to die. He now almost always avoids the vices that used to plague him. He has failed a few times; he is not a failure.
As teammate C.J. Wilson said earlier this month, many players don’t particularly care or even notice if ownership is behind them. But Hamilton is different.
“Based on what Josh’s life consists of, I think it is important,” Wilson said.
Moreno should have known that – if not because he is compassionate, at least because it’s good business.
“If Josh was hitting .300 with 35 home runs a year, what’s the situation?” Wilson asked his boss indirectly. “Obviously, that’s the player that they want. That’s the player they paid for.”
It might be the player Moreno will be paying to play against him.
Smith: Angels are unforgiving to Hamilton, an admitted addict
BY MARCIA C. SMITH
ANAHEIM – Now, not playing left field at Angel Stadium, not batting cleanup behind All-Star Mike Trout and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols and not wearing No. 32 for your Angels is … Josh Hamilton.
Hamilton hasn’t been around this spring or this season, and now it looks like he’ll never return as an Angel.
The Angels don’t appear to be giving him a chance at the comeback he has made before.
His mural has been scraped off the façade of Angel Stadium to start this season. His jerseys and merchandise have been removed from the Angels Team Store. His nameplate was never installed above the stalls he used to have in the back corner of the clubhouse.
He had no promotions themed around him this season. His headshot wasn’t even among the 2015 Angels in the home-opening series programs.
Hamilton has been de facto cut from the team for months, but unloading him has yet to become official. Too bad he was gone before we ever got see all of his greatness. He has power, speed, 6-foot-4 size, engaging charisma and the story.
April 25, 2015 Page 11 of 36
We may have gotten only two seasons of flickers and flashes of that 2010 AL MVP and five-time All-Star the Angels signed to a five-year, $125 million deal, between all the slumps, injuries, excuses and, unfortunately, a drug relapse.
Hamilton appeared in 240 games as an Angel in 2013 and 2014. He batted .255 with 31 home runs, far below the .304 career average he had when he arrived after his first six seasons in Cincinnati and Texas.
Once Angels owner Arte Moreno’s shiny new bike as another splashy – and risky – free-agent veteran slugger signing, Hamilton is being dealt back to his former team, the Texas Rangers.
This looks more like a pride move by an owner and an organization who act like they’ve been hoodwinked and betrayed by a slugger who made no secret about his drug and alcohol addiction and then stumbled in his recovery.
When Hamilton self-reported a relapse to Major League Baseball in February and an arbitrator recently ruled Hamilton wouldn’t be disciplined, it appeared all covenants with the Angels management – not necessarily those written in contracts – were broken.
The trust, which Moreno and his wife Carole started to build while closing the deal in Texas with Hamilton, was damaged. Moreno made that clear in his recent “accountability”-laden speeches, and team president John Carpino and General Manager Jerry Dipoto echoed the zero-tolerance stance on substance abuse in their comments.
They didn’t welcome relapsed Hamilton back. They didn’t show compassion for a man known to be recovering from a cocaine and alcohol addiction that banned him from the game in the past. They held the hard line on Hamilton.
The Angels players, feeling more sympathy for a player they knew as a good-hearted teammate, have supported Hamilton’s continued recovery.
But the Angels who sign Hamilton’s paychecks felt differently.
Now, everyone is still trying to make sense of this shattered relationship that many, except perhaps Moreno, always recognized as a huge gamble.
Every ballclub that signs Hamilton has to know about drug problems along with the supreme talent that he used to become an addict-to-All-Star inspirational story and lead the Rangers to two World Series.
To expect Hamilton to be permanently cured from drug temptations is hopeful and perhaps a little naive. Addiction is a disease that requires lifelong recovery, with hiccups, sometimes, along the way.
So, it’s perplexing that the Angels management seems so unforgiving now, so intolerant now, choosing to unload him anywhere, even to an AL West divisional rival, to rid of him.
Hamilton is trying to recover in earnest, rehabbing his surgically repaired shoulder and restore sobriety in Houston under the supervision of an accountability coach. He has been preparing himself for baseball, working out, muscling up to 250 pounds, hitting in a cage.
April 25, 2015 Page 12 of 36
He has been dealing also with filing for divorce from his wife, Katie, with whom he has four daughters.
His life in chaos, he seeks the game that provides him routine.
But the Angels, who owed Hamilton $90 million for his remaining three years on his contract and pro- rated signing bonus, are reportedly willing to dump him for $15 million from the Rangers.
Here’s the sense in the move: The Angels getting 17 cents on the dollar as salvage money.
That short sell is better than paying full price for a player the front office decided it doesn’t want or believe in anymore. It’s desperate salary relief, even by giving him to the divisional rival Rangers.
The Angels management, apparently trying to cut its losses, is going to take a hit here.
The club could be seen as dispassionate toward a recovering addict who battles each day with demons more than fastball strikes. Sympathetic fans have already sided with Hamilton, who often stopped to talk with fans, sign autographs, pose for pictures, and even share recovery stories during his Angels days.
Moreover, the club could be ultimately be hurt by facing his powerful, avenging-Angel bat and really pay in the box score and the standings when it faces him again.
Days after the Angels outlined the plan for his return, they are reportedly letting him go for pennies to an enemy.
It’s unfortunate that the Angels couldn’t give Hamilton, the player who has proved worthy of second chances, a second chance.
Angels Notes: Grant Green could help offense
BY JEFF FLETCHER
ANAHEIM – The Angels brought Grant Green back, but Mike Scioscia said it’s not just to fill out their bench.
Scioscia said Green, who was hitting .328 at Triple-A, could get some starts as the Angels look for anything to improve their sagging offense.
“Grant Green is swinging the bat very well and could take some pressure off the guys in the middle and play left field,” Scioscia said.
Matt Joyce and Collin Cowgill have formed the Angels left field platoon, but both of them are hitting under .200. Green can also play second, third and shortstop, but the need for offense at those spots is less acute.
Green said he has been playing mostly left field at Triple-A, with some work in the infield.
“I would love to be a one-spot type of person, but like I’ve always said, the whole key is to be (in the majors) whether that’s playing one spot or multiple spots.” April 25, 2015 Page 13 of 36
TROPEANO DOWN
Green’s promotion came at the expense of Nick Tropeano, who was optioned back to Triple-A a day after pitching six scoreless innings in a spot start.
“It’s a great confidence builder for him to come up to the big leagues and pitch like he did yesterday,” Scioscia said. “Hopefully he can carry that down and pitch like that in Triple-A until the next opportunity is there.”
C.J. Wilson, whose sore elbow allowed, Tropeano to get a start, said he is fine to start on Saturday.
TROUT HONORED
Mike Trout was recognized before Friday's game for winning the Silver Slugger Award and the Player's Choice Award for American League Outstanding Player in 2014.
Before Saturday's game, Trout will be honored for winning the AL MVP. Vladmir Guerrero, the previous Angels player to win the MVP, will be part of the ceremony.
Back in Salt Lake, Navarro says he'll focus on utility role in effort to return to Angels
BY JEFF FLETCHER
SALT LAKE CITY - When Efren Navarro arrived at Smith’s Ballpark this week, he didn’t need anyone to show him around the clubhouse.
Navarro, who was optioned to Salt Lake on Tuesday when the Angels promoted Cam Bedrosian, has been a familiar face for the Bees in recent years. He played in 480 games for from 2011-14 and owns several team records, including most career hits and doubles.
After breaking camp with the Angels, he admitted the obvious — that he’d much rather be in Anaheim than Salt Lake. But Navarro, who is now out of options, was not discouraged.
“It’s part of the business,” said Navarro, who hit .200 in 15 at-bats with the Angels before being optioned. “That’s something I can’t control, what moves they make in the big leagues or in Triple-A. I have to stay positive and can’t put myself down. That would only make it worse for me.”
A former 50th round pick who defied the odds by even making it to the majors, Navarro will use his time in Salt Lake to work on becoming a better part-time player. He understands that will likely again be his role if he gets recalled by the Angels.
He said adjusting to not playing every day was the largest challenge he faced in the majors.
“That’s my role, and when I get the call up again that’s going to be my role,” he said. “Having Dave Hansen up there is very helpful with working with me as far as my swing and preparation. It’s really opened my eyes as far as my preparation. That has to grow and expand.” April 25, 2015 Page 14 of 36
Though he understands where he fits in with the Angels, Navarro is still dreaming big. There is still much he hopes to achieve before his playing days are over.
“My main goal was to play every single day, and the ultimate goal was to win a Gold Glove one day,” he said. “I still have a lot to accomplish. It hasn’t ended yet.”
MAKING AN IMPRESSION
Adam Wilk is finding Salt Lake City to his liking.
Making his second Triple-A start, the lefthander threw five scoreless innings Wednesday. For the season, he has given up no runs while striking out eight in 11 innings. It is the next chapter in Wilk’s strange saga, which has seen him pitch in the Korean Baseball Organization and for three teams in the major leagues, including with the Angels this season.
Bees manager Dave Anderson said the key to Wilk’s early-season performance has been throwing strikes, pitching inside and controlling the running game.
“He did the things he knows he has to do to pitch anywhere, whether it’s the big leagues, here or wherever,” Anderson said, adding that Wilk, who has also pitched out of the bullpen, was not on a pitch count. “He gave us what he had and did a nice job.”
ALSO
The Bees won back-to-back games this week on walk-off throwing errors by the Fresno Grizzlies. Both throws had Anderson, who also serves as third-base coach, ducking for cover, lying on the ground when the winning runs scored. “Whatever it takes to win, that’s what you’ve got to do,” he said.
Catcher Carlos Perez, acquired along with Nick Tropeano in an offseason trade with the Astros for catcher Hank Conger, continues to rake. He’s hitting .354/.380/.604 with a pair of homers while splitting time behind the plate with Jeff Bandy. MLB.com ranked him the No. 12 prospect in the Angels organization.
Freese's homer makes Richards a winner in 3-2 victory over Rangers
BY JEFF FLETCHER
ANAHEIM – To all of those who appreciate modern metrics and would like to see old-school stats like pitching wins devalued: ignore what David Freese had to say after the Angels’ 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night.
As Freese was rounding the bases with a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning, he said was thinking about how his blast came just in time to get a victory for Garrett Richards.
“Everybody saw him in the spring working his tail off,” Freese said. “It’s nice to get W’s, not only for everybody in this clubhouse, but for the guys on the mound.”
April 25, 2015 Page 15 of 36
Thanks to Freese’s homer, which turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead minutes after Richards had thrown his 98th and final pitch of the night, the Angels right-hander had a victory to show for eight months of rehab.
In his first outing after coming back from knee surgery, the Angels defense was sloppy – including an error by Freese – and Richards took a loss Sunday. This time, Richards pitched better – allowing two runs in seven innings – and got just enough support.
“It was nice to get the lead before G-Rich was technically out of it,” Freese said. “It was huge. It was a rough game in Houston for us defensively, not picking up some balls for him. As I was going around the bases, I was fired up thinking him, trying to get that W for him.”
Freese’s homer, on a Keone Kela’s 95 mph 3-2 fastball over the inside corner, not only got a victory for Richards, but relieved some of the stress on the Angels offense.
On a day that the Angels neared a trade of Josh Hamilton, eliminating any faint hope that he would come back to boost their struggling offense, the Angels managed just enough.
They had wasted numerous opportunities throughout the game before Freese’s seventh-inning blast. It was his fourth homer of the season. Last season, when he hit only 10, he didn’t hit No. 4 until July 5.
Freese, who is not known for his defense, also saved the game in the ninth with a nice play.
Closer Huston Street got the first two outs and then began carefully maneuvering his way through the heart of the Texas order. He fell behind Adrian Beltre and walked him. Pinch-runner Delino DeShields stole second and took third on a throwing error. Street then fell behind Shin-Soo Choo, so he walked him too.
“If you fall behind 1-0 when you have a base open you understand that,” Street said. “If you fall behind 2-0 it makes that base open look a whole lot more appealing. It’s tough to make three great pitches when a bloop or anything beats you.”
Street then got ahead of Elvis Andrus and went after him. Andrus fouled off a few two-strike pitches before hitting a grounder to the left of Freese, who picked it and threw to first to end the game.
“That was a really tough play,” Street said.
With that, the Angels had finished off their second consecutive victory, even though they had scored only five runs in the two games, and four of them came on two swings.
While the Angels offense continues to slump, at least now they seem to have their ace pitcher all the way back.
“I was just getting my timing down,” Richards said. “It was going to take a little time for me to feel, but once I felt it, I knew I could repeat it. It was just a matter of time.”
NOTES The Angels recalled infielder Grant Green and optioned right-hander Nick Tropeano, restoring their bullpen to the normal seven pitchers. Green is expected to mostly come off the Angels bench, but he April 25, 2015 Page 16 of 36 could also get some starts in left field. Matt Joyce and Collin Cowgill, the members of Angels left-field platoon, are each hitting under .200.
Tropeano went back down even though he pitched six scoreless innings in place of C.J. Wilson, whose start was pushed back a couple days because of a sore elbow. Scioscia said Tropeano needs to stay in a normal rotation, and the Angels have no spot for him in the majors.
On deck: Rangers at Angels, Saturday, 6 p.m.
BY JEFF FLETCHER
Where: Angel Stadium
TV: Fox Sports West, 6 p.m.
Did you know: The Angels had 430 victories against the Rangers going into Friday night, their most against any other team.
THE PITCHERS
LHP C.J. WILSON (1-2, 3.54)
Wilson missed his start Thursday because of discomfort in his elbow. He said it started to bother him during his start last Saturday in Houston, and it felt worse the next day. Wilson has had two quality starts in his three outings. He’s allowed only 20 baserunners (14 hits and six walks) in 201/3 innings, an outstanding ratio. Wilson has not pitched well against the Rangers, his team for the first seven years of his career.
Vs. Rangers: 1-2, 7.36
At Angel Stadium: 22-16, 3.40
Loves to face: Shin-Soo Choo, 2 for 14 (.143)
Hates to face: Adrian Beltre, 11 for 34 (.324)
RHP COLBY LEWIS (1-1, 3.79)
The 35-year-old veteran had a 5.18 ERA and a league-leading 14 losses last year. Opponents hit .304 against him. This year, though, Lewis is off to a better start. He gave up three runs in 52/3 innings in his last start, a loss to the Seattle Mariners. Lewis has struggled against the Angels throughout his career, to the tune of an .821 OPS against him. Last year the Angels scored 27 earned runs against him in 26 innings, beating him four times.
Vs. Angels: 5-8, 5.64
At Angel Stadium: 3-3, 4.06
Loves to face: David Freese, 2 for 11 (.182) April 25, 2015 Page 17 of 36
Hates to face: Albert Pujols, 7 for 15 (.467), 2 HRs
FROM ANGELS.COM
Source: Rangers to trade for Halos' Hamilton
By Alden Gonzalez
ANAHEIM -- Josh Hamilton's tumultuous stint in Southern California is nearing a resolution, one that would save the Angels some money and send the embattled outfielder back to the place he once thrived.
The Rangers are closing in on a deal to acquire Hamilton from the Angels, sources told MLB.com on Friday. Neither club has confirmed the trade, which still needs to clear several logistical hurdles before it's completed. But a source said the Angels would be receiving about $15 million in cash considerations, and no players, for a contract that will pay Hamilton about $90 million through the 2017 season.
Hamilton starred for the Rangers from 2008-12, starting five straight All-Star Games, winning an American League MVP Award and playing in back-to-back World Series. He joined the Angels with a five-year, $125 million contract in December 2012, but combined to hit .255 with 31 homers and 123 RBIs in 240 games over the next two years and hasn't been with the team in 2015.
"If he's back on a field, it's good for him," said C.J. Wilson, Hamilton's teammate on the Rangers and Angels.
"No matter what the situation is, I think Josh is going to pick up a 35-inch bat and go swing. That's what he's good at, and I think that's what he needs to be doing right now."
The two sides still have some legal work to sort through, but the deal could be announced by Monday, a source said.
Completion of the deal would officially end an uncomfortable situation between the Angels and Hamilton, a relationship that became contentious when Hamilton suffered a drug relapse late in the offseason. Since then, the 33-year-old outfielder has resided in Houston, staying at a friend's house while rehabbing from surgery to his right shoulder in early February.
"I hope he is healthy and his mind is in a good position," Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre said. "The Josh we know can help us."
A handful of Angels players -- including David Freese, Kole Calhoun, Collin Cowgill and Wilson -- visited Hamilton while the team was in Houston last weekend and came away encouraged by his physique and demeanor.
"I thought he was in really good spirits," Freese said then. "The fact is he wants to play some baseball, and he's ready to roll."
April 25, 2015 Page 18 of 36
Earlier this week, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said Hamilton would be reporting to the club's Arizona-based extended spring program "in the not-too-distant future." The tentative plan was for Hamilton to work out there for a couple weeks, then play at one of the Angels' Minor League affiliates for 20 days -- the maximum allotment for injured position players -- and perhaps return to the field by June.
But it had been clear all season that Hamilton wasn't necessarily being welcomed back.
The Angels were openly upset when an arbitrator ruled on April 3 that Hamilton did not violate the terms of his treatment program, mainly because he self-reported his drug relapse to Major League Baseball before a failed test. Angels president John Carpino said the ruling "defies logic," while Dipoto expressed the club's "disappointment" in Hamilton's actions with a statement.
The team did not issue Hamilton a locker at their Spring Training facility or at Angel Stadium, and has pulled all of his merchandise and likeness from the ballpark.
Prior to the home opener on April 10, Angels owner Arte Moreno declined to say Hamilton would ever play for his team again and added that he hasn't spoken to Hamilton since the end of the 2014 season. Asked why, Moreno said, "Probably disappointment."
"I think that's probably the biggest word here," Moreno added. "We understand that he's had struggles, and obviously he's still having struggles, but the reality is there's accountability. When you make an agreement, you need to stand up."
Moreno said Hamilton's contract contains provisions that give the Angels recourse in the event of drug or alcohol use, a point that was quickly refuted by the MLB Players' Association in an ensuing statement. Any attempt to exercise those provisions would've probably resulted in a long, drawn-out battle between the Office of the Commissioner and the MLBPA. Releasing Hamilton would've required the Angels to pay his entire salary.
A trade that involved another team assuming some of Hamilton's contract was the most beneficial resolution.
"I wish he was here with us," Angels first baseman Albert Pujols said, "but at least it's a good scenario for him, going back home. But we don't really know what's going on."
Hamilton, who has reportedly filed for divorce from his wife, owns a home in Westlake, Texas, and has four daughters.
The Rangers acquired Hamilton from the Reds in December 2007, then benefitted from a five-year run in which he posted a .305/.363/.549 slash line while averaging 28 homers and 101 RBIs per season. Hamilton blasted a record 28 home runs in the opening round of the 2008 Home Run Derby from Yankee Stadium and went deep four times from Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 8, 2012.
But his stint in Texas ended on a sour note. He struggled mightily over the last four months of that 2012 season, then was showered with boos at Globe Life Park after his Rangers lost the AL Wild Card game to the Orioles.
Hamilton's lasting image with the Angels is very similar, with boos after an underwhelming postseason performance. This time it was the AL Division Series. Hamilton missed most of the preceding month April 25, 2015 Page 19 of 36 with ailments along his right side, then went 0-for-13 in a sweep to the Royals and was jeered loudly at Angel Stadium in Games 1 and 2.
The ALDS was the last time many on the Angels had even seen Hamilton.
It'll probably end up being the last time he plays for them.
"It's going to be resolved one way or another in its own time," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said prior to Friday's game against the Rangers, Hamilton's old team and perhaps his newest employer. "Whatever course this takes, it takes. We're just going to focus on playing baseball."
Scioscia says Hamilton's needs were met with Angels
By Alden Gonzalez
ANAHEIM -- The Angels and Rangers are working on a trade that would send Josh Hamilton back to the environment where he thrived, sources told MLB.com on Friday, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia doesn't believe there was anything wrong with the clubhouse environment the Angels provided for Hamilton the last two years.
"The process of supporting Josh obviously was magnified because of his history, and those needs were met," said Scioscia, who was speaking in generalities and would not comment on a potential trade sending Hamilton to the Rangers. "Those needs were met from both Josh's side and the organization's side. I feel very confident about that."
An intense drug and alcohol addiction took Hamilton -- the first overall pick out of high school in 1999 - - away from baseball from the start of 2003 until his reinstatement in June 2006. Hamilton spent his rookie season with the Reds and went to the Rangers in December 2007, ultimately starting five consecutive All-Star Games and winning the 2010 American League MVP Award.
Hamilton traveled with an accountability partner throughout his Major League career -- though he downsized the role for the 2014 season -- and suffered two alcohol-related relapses with the Rangers, in 2009 and '12. The Rangers were a loose bunch, and Hamilton's former manager, Ron Washington, acted as a father figure. They showed unrelenting support.
"We were a family for him here, not just the players, but the organization, the city in general," Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said recently. "He made mistakes, like any human being, but here we believe that we're together in good times and bad times."
Speaking on April 3, after an independent arbitrator ruled Hamilton did not violate the terms of his treatment program and would not be suspended, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said the organization "followed the same blueprint that was laid out for him with the Texas Rangers and that seemed to be so successful at the time."
"Unless you have a 3-D printer, it's hard to duplicate things," C.J. Wilson, Hamilton's teammate with the Rangers and Angels, said Friday. "That's like saying that somebody used to date a girl, and she was like this, and now you want your new girl to be like that. Everything is its own situation every year. "The nature of baseball is to constantly look forward to the next challenge and try to get the most out of it. The next challenge for Josh is to get back on the field and put all of this behind him." April 25, 2015 Page 20 of 36
Worth noting
• The Angels recalled infielder Grant Green from Triple-A Salt Lake, optioning Thursday starter Nick Tropeano so they could go back to the traditional four-man bench. Green, batting .328 in his first 13 games in the Minors, could get some starts in left field and at second base.
• Asked if he's concerned about the offense, which entered Friday tied for the lowest batting average in the Majors, Scioscia used a football analogy, saying: "We have to grind out those first downs. You can't always look for the long bomb. That's where our offense is right now. We need to grind it out, get guys on base."
• Mike Trout was presented with the Players Choice Award for American League Outstanding Player prior to Friday's game. In Trout's name, the Major League Baseball Players Trust donated $10,000 for the Marshall R. Smith Childhood Cancer Foundation and $10,000 for Ryan Dempster's Family Foundation.
Hamilton back to Rangers a welcome reunion
By Richard Justice
Theirs was a nearly perfect marriage for five seasons, and that surely is what this reunion is about. Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers may have needed one another more than they ever understood, and maybe this is about both of them attempting to recapture some of the old magic. So here's to second chances and happy endings.
If nothing else, we're likely to find out if Hamilton can still be a productive Major League player. It's not just a matter of his staying healthy, although that's obviously a large part of the equation. It's also about his rediscovering plate discipline and patience, two things in short supply during two disappointing seasons with the Angels.
That appeared to be the bottom line on Friday as the Rangers and Angels worked to complete a trade that would send Hamilton back to Texas, according to reports. If the trade happens, the Angels are expected to pay a large share of the $83 million Hamilton has remaining on his contract over the next three seasons.
But it would complete a divorce the Angels have sought since Hamilton admitted to a drug relapse this past offseason. This isn't how the Angels hoped it would play out when they lured Hamilton from the Rangers with a five-year, $125 million contract after the 2012 season.
In two seasons, he played just 240 of a possible 324 games and had a dramatic drop in production. He played just one regular-season game after Sept. 4 last season and went 0-for-13 in the American League Division Series.
Those two seasons were a far cry from his five with the Rangers when he averaged 28 home runs and 101 RBIs and made the AL All-Star team every season. He won the AL MVP Award in 2010 and finished fifth in '12 and seventh in 2008.
April 25, 2015 Page 21 of 36
Meanwhile, the Rangers, a franchise that had never won a postseason series when he arrived, averaged 93 victories in Hamilton's final three seasons, including 2010 and '11, when they twice went to the World Series.
The Rangers became wildly popular in Texas during Hamilton's time, with home attendance increasing from 1.95 million in 2008 to 3.46 million in 2012. When Hamilton departed, he complained Dallas would always be a football town, but it's obvious the Rangers did OK for themselves as well.
During those five seasons, Hamilton joined Nolan Ryan among the franchise's most popular players. That popularity was based on his being a tremendous player, but it was about more than that, too.
Hamilton touched thousands of hearts with his public battle against addiction. He recounted how when he would appear for an autograph signing there would always be people who simply wanted him to hear how they -- or someone close to them -- had battled addiction.
These people told Hamilton that he was a hero both because he helped the Rangers win two AL pennants and his personal story was so inspiring. There just never was that kind of closeness between him and Angels fans.
Perhaps if he'd been on the field more or played better, it would have worked out differently. But there always seemed to be a disconnect.
He could be returning to the Rangers at a time when his career seems to be hanging in the balance. He'll turn 34 next month and is working his way back from shoulder surgery.
Angels teammates who visited with him last weekend when the team was playing the Astros say he has added at least 20 pounds of muscle and is eager to get back on the field and restart his career.
He'll need at least a couple more weeks to complete his shoulder rehab, but when he steps back in the batter's box in Arlington, he's likely to hear cheers like he has never heard before. His battle against drug and alcohol addiction will be ongoing, but if he's still capable of playing at a high level, he seems more likely to be able to do it with the Rangers.
The Rangers, coming off a 95-loss season, their worst in 29 years, could use some help. Reunion tours sometimes disappoint, and maybe this one will, too. But it also has possibilities.
Freese's two-run shot seals Richards' first win
By Alden Gonzalez and T.R. Sullivan
ANAHEIM -- David Freese hit a two-run home run off reliever Keone Kela in the bottom of the seventh inning and the Angels held on for a 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Friday night.
The Angels were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position before Freese hit a 3-2 fastball deep over the left-center-field fence. Angels starter Garrett Richards earned the victory by holding the Rangers to two runs in seven innings. Richards, who started the season on the disabled list while still recovering from knee surgery, was making his first start at Angel Stadium since Aug. 9.
April 25, 2015 Page 22 of 36
Rangers starter Wandy Rodriguez was making his first Major League appearance since May 21, 2014, against the Orioles. He held the Angels to one run in five innings and left with a 2-1 lead. He was hoping for his first win since May 26, 2013.
The Rangers threatened in the ninth off Huston Street, who had retired 15 of his first 16 batters this season. Adrian Beltre and Shin-Soo Choo drew back-to-back two-out walks, putting runners on the corners, but Elvis Andrus capped an eight-pitch at-bat with a groundout to third, giving Street his sixth save.
Was that last at-bat fun?
"No," Street said, laughing. "It was not fun at all. [Andrus is] a battler. He takes great at-bats. I was pretty pumped when Freese made that play. That's a really, really, really tough play. I think the ball hit right on the cut of the grass."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Rodriguez skips out of trouble: Rodriguez threw 89 pitches in five innings. He faced 23 batters and nine reached base on five hits, three walks and one hit batter. Four of five leadoff hitters reached base. But he allowed just one run. The Angels left seven baserunners in the first five innings and were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position off Rodriguez. Center fielder Leonys Martin made a terrific running catch on Albert Pujols' deep line drive in the fifth.
Finishing strong: Richards elevated a 95-mph fastball to Rougned Odor and got the Rangers' second baseman to swing right through it, resulting in Richards' second straight strikeout and the end of the seventh. The 26-year-old right-hander looked strong in his second start of 2015, giving up just two runs in a second inning in which no balls left the infield. He walked three, gave up three hits, struck out five and needed 98 pitches to record 21 outs.
"He is a premium pitcher, a high velocity guy," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "Power movement on his fastball and a tough slider made it challenging on hitters." Fielder thrives in clutch: Prince Fielder continues to drive in the runs with men in scoring position. He came up in the third inning with a runner on third and two outs, and hit a one-hopper back to the mound that Richards couldn't hold in his glove. It went for an infield single and Fielder is now 9-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Freese unloads: It looked as if the Angels were on their way to another missed opportunity, after Pujols' hard comebacker landed right in the glove of Kela for the second out of the bottom of the seventh. But then Freese turned on a 3-2, inside-corner fastball and shot it out to left-center field for a two-run home run that gave the Angels a 3-2 lead. The Angels had the leadoff man on in six of the first seven innings, but scored him only twice.
"We've been battling offensively, obviously," Freese said. "Everybody who's watched us knows that. But let's keep grinding. They all count."
"It was not the location we wanted and Freese put a good swing on it and hit it to the deepest part of the ballpark," Banister said. "He wanted it a little more inside. It's part of the growing process for a young pitcher."
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS April 25, 2015 Page 23 of 36
With his two-run shot in the seventh, Freese became the first Angels third baseman with four home runs in April since Troy Glaus hit seven in the opening month of 2004. Last year, Freese didn't hit his fourth home run until July 5.
KELA MISSES DOUBLE PLAY
Kela had a chance to get out of the seventh without facing Freese. With one out and Mike Trout on second, Pujols hit a scorching line drive up the middle, Kela caught it and Trout was way off second base. But Kela lobbed his throw to second and Trout dived back safely.
QUOTABLE
"I don't see much difference. … He's picked it right up." -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia, on whether he's starting to see the same Richards from 2014
"It was time to pitch [Tanner] Scheppers. Kela has been pitching the seventh for us. The mix of Kela, [Shawn] Tolleson and [Neftali] Feliz has worked well for us. I felt it was time to put Scheppers in." -- Banister on why he used Scheppers in the sixth inning and Kela in the seventh.
WHAT'S NEXT
Rangers: Colby Lewis pitches for the Rangers against the Angels at 8:05 p.m. (CT) on Saturday in Anaheim. Lewis was 1-4 with a 9.35 ERA in five starts against the Angels last year.
Angels: C.J. Wilson will take the ball for the Angels, pitching against his former team for the first time since 2013. Wilson had a 7.36 ERA in eight starts against Texas from 2012-13.
Richards declares himself to be '100 percent' after arduous rehab
By Alden Gonzalez
ANAHEIM -- David Freese turned on a full-count, inside-corner fastball from Rangers reliever Keone Kela, lifted it deep into the left-center-field gap, watched it sail just beyond the Angel Stadium fence and immediately thought about Garrett Richards.
OK, almost immediately.
"The first thought was [heck] yeah," Freese said. "The second thought was G-Rich."
Freese's two-out, two-run homer came in the bottom of the seventh on Friday night. It gave the Angels a 3-2 lead and set Richards up to capture his first win in his first home start since suffering a ruptured patellar tendon on Aug. 20.
"I was rounding the bases just fired up, thinking about him, trying to get that 'W' for him," Freese said of Richards, who qualified for it by allowing only two runs in seven innings.
"He looks good out there. Everybody sees that."
April 25, 2015 Page 24 of 36
Richards, eight months removed from surgery to his left knee, has now made two starts this season. And Angels manager Mike Scioscia already sees the same guy from last year, the hard-throwing right- hander who was making a run at the American League Cy Young Award before an ill-fated jog to first base at Fenway Park.
"I don't see much difference," Scioscia said, a point Richards wholeheartedly agreed with.
"One hundred percent," Richards added. "I worked very hard over the offseason to get back to where I am now. For anybody that thought it wasn't going to be that easy, hard work goes a long way."
Richards mixed in his slider the second and third time through the order and flipped in four curveballs, but mostly attacked Rangers hitters with his devastating four-seam fastball. He hit 97 mph seven times and finished his outing with a rising, 95-mph fastball through the bat of Rougned Odor, his second consecutive punchout on his 98th pitch.
Richards struck out five, scattered three hits, walked three batters and gave up two runs in a third inning in which no ball left the infield. He began that third inning with back-to-back walks, both on borderline pitches, then proceeded to retire 12 of his next 14 batters.
The win came five days after Richards gave up four runs (three earned) in a tough-luck start against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Start No. 2 was about "getting my timing and rhythm back down, throwing the ball up front, getting back to what I did last year."
"It was something that was going to take a little time for me to feel," Richards said, "but once I feel it, I know I can repeat it. It was only a matter of time."
Former teammates Wilson, Lewis set to face off
By T.R. Sullivan
After being pushed back two days because of some stiffness in his elbow, Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson will be facing his old teammates when he pitches against the Rangers on Saturday.
He will be opposed by Colby Lewis. They were two of the Rangers' top starters during two trips to the World Series in 2010-11. This will be Wilson's first start against the Rangers since Sept. 27, 2013. He is 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA in eight starts against them since signing with the Angels after the 2012 season.
Lewis has had his own problems pitching against the Angels. He is 2-7 with a 5.77 ERA in 12 starts against them since 2010. But he is 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA in six starts in Anaheim.
Things to know about this game
• Kole Calhoun is 6-for-13 with a home run off Lewis. Albert Pujols is 7-for-15 with two home runs and Mike Trout is 7-for-20. He also has two home runs off Lewis.
• Mike Trout is going to be presented with the American League Most Valuable Player award prior to Saturday's game. The Angels' other two MVPs, Don Baylor and Vladimir Guerrero, will be on the field for a pregame ceremony.
April 25, 2015 Page 25 of 36
• Rangers catcher Carlos Corporan has two home runs off of Wilson. The only other pitcher that Corporan has two home runs against is Max Scherzer.
FROM FOX SPORTS WEST
Source: Angels close to trading Josh Hamilton to Rangers
By Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal
The Texas Rangers are close to acquiring Josh Hamilton from the Los Angeles Angels, sources with knowledge of the talks confirmed to FOX Sports.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com first reported the news, which is poised to end a stalemate between the Angels and Hamilton that began with Hamilton’s reported relapse involving alcohol and cocaine during the offseason. Now Hamilton is on the verge of rejoining the Rangers, with whom he earned one American League MVP award and was named to five All-Star teams from 2008 through 2012.
Sources said Friday evening that the Angels and Rangers had yet to agree on all terms of the deal, meaning it could be several days before the full matter is resolved. But under the deal’s general parameters as of Friday, the Rangers will not send any players to the Angels, and the Rangers will take on less than $15 million in financial obligations to Hamilton. He is owed $83 million over the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons.
One key element of the trade is that Hamilton will relinquish some money to the Angels that had been due to him. Traditionally, the Major League Baseball Players Association has prevented proposed agreements under which players give up financial benefits in their guaranteed contracts. However, in this case the MLBPA apparently views playing in a state (Texas) with no state income tax as a benefit unto itself.
Hamilton, who turns 34 next month, was a disappointment in two injury-plagued seasons with the Angels, batting .255 with 31 home runs and 123 RBI in 240 games.
In recent weeks, Angels owner Arte Moreno has declined to say publicly that Hamilton would play for the team again. Even two weeks ago, Hamilton’s rehabilitation from offseason shoulder surgery had advanced to the point that he was ready to resume a greater level of baseball activity. However, at no point did the Angels say publicly that they were prepared to welcome him back to their spring training facility or home clubhouse at Angel Stadium.
Earlier this month, a Major League Baseball arbitrator ruled — to the Angels’ dismay — that Hamilton had not violated the league’s drug treatment program, so he will be fully eligible to play for the Rangers once they deem him to be in baseball condition.
April 25, 2015 Page 26 of 36 Angels call up utility man Grant Green
By Rahshaun Haylock
ANAHEIM, CALIF. — If Grant Green can bring some of the hitting that helped him get off to a hot start in Triple-A Salt Lake, it would do wonders for the Angels' lineup.
Green is batting .328 this season (4 doubles, 3 triples) for the Bees. The utility man was called Friday up by the Angels. To make room for Green on the,, the Angels sent Thursday's starting pitcher Nick Tropeano back to Salt Lake. It's important for him to stay on a pitching schedule, Scioscia said.
Green's bat won't be in the starting lineup Friday night in the series opener against the Texas Rangers. Scioscia said Green will be inserted into the starting lineup at some point while he's up with the big club.
In Salt Lake this season, Green played everywhere every infield position short of first base. The majority of his time was spent in left field, where he played seven of his 13 games.
"It's kind of fun playing a different position every day," Green said.
Scioscia won't say where Green will play but is fond of his versatility.
"That versatility is tough to find," Scioscia said. "It's been a priority for us to evaluate Grant where he is. I think at second base he's made a lot of strides and showed he can do some things at second. We've had him on the left side of the infield and left field. If you're going to get better you need to work at it and practice it so you have to apply it more and he is."
Richards picks up first win of season as Angels defeat Rangers
By Rahshaun Haylock
ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Garrett Richards didn't just make a quality start Friday night against the Texas Rangers; he was good enough to get the win.
The Angels' starting pitcher was back on the Angel Stadium mound for the first time since last August. There were some control issues as Richards walked three in the first three innings of the Angels series opening, 3-2 win.
The two walks in the third came back to haunt him. Although the Rangers didn't hit the ball out of the outfield in that inning, they scored two runs against Richards. The first on a groundout to second. The next run came on an infield single -- “a comebacker off of the glove of Richards by Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder.
Richards then found his groove after he got out of the third inning, retiring 14 of the next 15 Rangers batters.
It was pretty close to the G-Rich of 2014.
April 25, 2015 Page 27 of 36
"I don't see much difference," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think there's more confidence he carries from knowing what he did last year.
"He's picked it right up. His stuff looks the same and he's thrown the ball well the first two starts."
He showed signs of growth on the mound Friday night as well. Earlier in his career, the back-to-back walks, which led to two Rangers runs, would likely have caused a downward spiral. However, Richards showed some resolve while picking up his first win of the season, never facing more than the minimum three hitters in an inning the rest of the way.
"It's a mature process," said Richards, who's last win prior to Friday was last August in Texas. "I'm not going to let one inning ruin my entire outing. We're always in the game until the end of the game. After the third I sat down on the bench and regrouped and went back out for the fourth. That's the approach you have to take if you're going to be successful at this level."
In addition to the three walks and two earned runs he allowed, Richards gave up three hits and struck out five in seven innings of work.
After he was done retiring Rangers, his teammates picked him up. David Freese left the yard, hitting a two-run home run to center field to put the Angels ahead for good in the bottom of the seventh while placing Richards in line for his first win since returning from knee surgery.
"It was nice to get the lead before G-Rich was, technically, not available to get the 'W'," Freese said. "That was huge.
"I was rounding the bases just fired up thinking about him, trying to get that 'W' for him."
FROM THE LA DAILY NEWS
Los Angeles Angels on verge of trading Josh Hamilton and correcting mistakes by both parties
By Mark Whicker
The Angels and Josh Hamilton are on the verge of cutting their losses.
It will take a chain saw the size of Texas.
Only four days ago the Angels were set to bring Hamilton to their Tempe, Ariz. training facility to “give him the help he needs,” according to manager Mike Scioscia.
Instead they will send him back to the Texas Rangers and pay off most of the $83 million they owe him, thanks to a free agent contract that should be hung in the Hall of Fame, with introductory speeches by Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey.
Were the Angels Dumb or Dumber when they awarded Hamilton $125 million for five years in December 2012, even though he was 32 years old and had stumbled through September?
April 25, 2015 Page 28 of 36
Was Hamilton Dumb or Dumber when he elected to leave the one true baseball home he ever had, with an organization that cared, and fans who idolized him as if he’d been born with a star on his helmet?
The Rangers would look shrewd here, except they never replaced Hamilton and somehow finished behind Houston in the American League West last year. Now they are reportedly putting up $15 million to retrieve Hamilton in a trade that might be finished by next week.
This is either kindness or desperation. The Rangers are heavily betting on Hamilton finding his bat, along with any shred of confidence and health.
They also have to worry about his spiritual durability, since the father of four is going through a divorce, selling his $16 million house, and trying to leave behind his latest relapse.
Hamilton came to Anaheim after a season of 43 homers and 128 RBIs in Texas. In the two seasons since, he has hit 31 home runs with 123 RBIs. He hit no home runs in 188 plate appearances at Angel Stadium last year.
The Rangers have to hope that his .874 OPS in road games is a true indicator. Maybe he was allergic to rockpiles.
They could have laughed at Angels owner Arte Moreno and let him deal with this dilemma he created and then exacerbated with his churlish reaction to the fact that Hamilton wasn’t suspended by Major League Baseball.
Moreno cited contract clauses that, if they existed at all, would be challenged severely by the Players Association. He stirred up currents in the Angels clubhouse by refusing to embrace Hamilton.
Scioscia, on Tuesday, said that the Angels had always prized Hamilton’s well-being and said the outfielder would finally get the help that baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement had not provided.
“If you look at the remarks (made by the Angels), it was about that, and not providing the resources to a player,” Scioscia said.
Well, let’s see. Club president John Carpino said it “defied logic” that MLB had not suspended Hamilton, and general manager Jerry Dipoto said Hamilton “had broken an important commitment” when he relapsed.
Moreno called for Hamilton’s “accountability” and said he was “disappointed” in Hamilton.
Cue up James Taylor: “When you’re down and troubled, and you need a helping hand.....”
This is also a lesson for the media, myself included. Signing a glamour free agent is often not worth the parade that follows it.
In this market alone it has happened with Mo Vaughn, Steve Nash, Sergei Fedorov, Jason Schmidt, Andruw Jones and Kevin Brown among many others, and it might be happening with Albert Pujols.
April 25, 2015 Page 29 of 36
The Angels invested well when they signed Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colon. The Ducks hit the mother lode with Scott Niedermayer. But this is not an easy market to conquer. Some players wonder why they’re not getting much attention. Some wonder why they’re getting too much.
None of them ever get the memo that L.A.-area fans are just as fickle and intolerant as anyone else’s fans. Hamilton found himself booed by fans in Texas and Anaheim and seemed wounded by both.
The Rangers knew Hamilton better than anybody. If they weren’t willing to give him five years, why were the Angels?
Instead, the Angels downsized their way through the post-postseason of 2012, letting Torii Hunter walk away, trading Ervin Santana for nothing. Hunter was a better player in 2014 than Hamilton.
Then Moreno raised the winning paddle in this auction and won strutter’s rights. Now he pays a whole lot of money for nothing. In this case, beware the buyer.
Meanwhile, Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre spoke for an excited clubhouse: “Who doesn’t need a guy like Josh Hamilton?”
Texas next visits Anaheim on July 24. By then we’ll see if Hamilton can give the Angels some bang for their bucks.
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Freese's homer in 7th helps Richards, Angels top Rangers 3-2
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- While trotting around the bases on his go-ahead homer, David Freese was as pumped up for teammate Garrett Richards as he was for himself.
Richards pitched seven effective innings for his first win since injuring his knee last year, but he wouldn't have won if not for Freese's clutch drive against rookie Keone Kela in the seventh inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night.
"It was nice to get the lead for G.Richards while he was technically available to get the `W.' That was huge," Freese said. "I was fired up, thinking about trying to get that `W' for him. As hitters, we think about the pitchers who are out there busting their tails when they're not getting enough runs."
Kole Calhoun greeted Kela (0-1) with a leadoff single and was erased on a fielder's choice grounder by Mike Trout, who stole second and was nearly doubled off the bag after Kela caught Albert Pujols' liner and tried to complete what would have been an inning-ending double play. Freeze then drove a 3-2 pitch to left-center for his fourth homer.
"You just look for something you can handle and be patient," Freese said. "I was ready the first pitch, and then he threw that curveball in on 3-1, and I was kind of thinking that he might throw it on 3-2, just to get back on track. But he threw me a little sinker."
Richards (1-1) allowed two runs and three hits, struck out five and walked three in his fifth straight win over the Rangers. The victory was the right-hander's first since Aug. 15 last season, when he beat the April 25, 2015 Page 30 of 36
Rangers 5-4 in Texas. He sustained a season-ending knee injury five days later while covering first base at Boston.
Joe Smith pitched a perfect eighth and Huston Street worked a hitless ninth for his sixth save. Street walked two, but ended the game by retiring Elvis Andrus on a grounder with runners at the corners.
Wandy Rodriguez allowed a run and five hits over five innings and struck out five in his American League debut after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Round Rock. It was the 36-year-old lefty's first appearance and start in the majors since May 21, 2014, with Pittsburgh.
"It was a veteran outing by a guy that hadn't been on a major league mound in more than nine months," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "Wandy gave us five innings and pitched through traffic for most of the night, but he moved the fastball around and competed very well. He pitched on the corners, used his breaking ball when he needed to and kept some pretty good hitters off balance."
Right-hander Logan Verrett was designated for assignment to make room for Rodriguez, released by Atlanta at the end of spring training.
Richards walked the Rangers' eighth and ninth hitters, Jake Smolinski and Carlos Corporan, to open the third inning and both scored after Leonys Martin advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. Mitch Moreland delivered the first run with a groundout, and Prince Fielder singled off Richards' glove to bring home the other.
The Angels got on the board in the fourth with Chris Iannetta's sacrifice fly. They nearly tied it in the fifth, but center fielder Martin raced toward the warning track and made a leaping catch to rob Pujols of extra bases with the speedy Trout at first base.
HAMILTON HUB-BUB
Most of the pregame chatter in both clubhouses revolved around reports that troubled outfielder Josh Hamilton is expected to be traded from the Angels to the Rangers in the next few days. During the two seasons that Hamilton and 3B Adrian Beltre were Rangers teammates (2011-12), Hamilton had 68 homers, 222 RBIs and a .291 average while Beltre batted .310 with 68 homers and 207 RBIs.
"If it does happen and he becomes a teammate, we're going to support him no matter what," said Beltre, who joined the Rangers the year after Hamilton was the AL MVP. "We'll do our best to help him think about baseball and not be a distraction. We know Josh and who he is. We hope he's healthy, his mind is in a good position, and he has the support he needs to be the productive Josh that we all know he can be -- the Josh that helped us go to the World Series in 2011. Who doesn't need a guy like Josh Hamilton? There might be a little more media craziness or more questions about why he's here, but we'll deal with it."
UP NEXT
Rangers: RHP Colby Lewis will be starting on six days' rest for the second straight time, after losing 3-1 to Seattle's Felix Hernandez last Saturday. Lewis was 1-4 with a 9.35 ERA against the Angels last season.
Angels: LHP C.J. Wilson was pushed back two days because of elbow stiffness. He allowed eight runs in 12 1/3 innings over his last two starts -- losses to Kansas City and Houston -- after pitching eight April 25, 2015 Page 31 of 36 innings of two-hit ball in his season debut at Seattle. Wilson spent his first seven big league seasons with the Rangers.
Rangers-Angels Preview
The Los Angeles Angels signed C.J. Wilson and Josh Hamilton away from the Texas Rangers in back-to- back offseasons with the hopes of winning another World Series.
In the coming days, only Wilson might be left on the Angels roster, and the left-hander will try to avoid a third consecutive loss Saturday night when he faces his former team.
The Angels landed Wilson and Albert Pujols after the 2011 season before signing Hamilton to a five- year contract in 2012, putting themselves on the hook for $125 million in the last deal and a combined $410 million for the three players. Hamilton, owed $83 million in the final three years, is reportedly close to being traded back to the Rangers after failing to duplicate his stellar seasons with Texas and admitting to a drug relapse this past offseason.
"It's going to be resolved one way or another in its own time," manager Mike Scioscia told MLB's official website before Friday's series opener against Texas. "Whatever course this takes, it takes. We're just going to focus on playing baseball."
The 2010 AL MVP and five-time All-Star has been recovering from right shoulder surgery and was on the verge of heading to extended spring training to continue his rehabilitation.
"We know Josh and who he is," Adrian Beltre said. "We hope he's healthy, his mind is in a good position, and he has the support he needs to be the productive Josh that we all know he can be -- the Josh that helped us go to the World Series in 2011."
With Hamilton's departure seemingly imminent, his longtime teammate Wilson (1-2, 3.54 ERA) will try to lead the Angels (8-9) to a third consecutive win and their 17th in 21 games against Texas (6-10) while pitching on six days of rest.
In his most recent start last Saturday, Wilson allowed two runs and three hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out eight and walking four in a 4-0 loss in Houston. He was tagged for seven runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 9-2 defeat to Kansas City in his prior start April 12.
David Freese's two-run homer in the seventh powered Los Angeles to a 3-2 win Friday in Anaheim, the Angels' third in four meetings this season.
The Angels will face Colby Lewis (1-1, 3.79), who went 0-4 with an 11.07 ERA in his last four starts against them in 2014. The right-hander was charged with eight runs in five innings in his most recent matchup, an 8-5 loss in Anaheim on Sept. 20.
He's also had six days to recover from his lone defeat this season, 3-1 in Seattle last Saturday. He gave up three runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.
"There wasn't one inning that was very easy," Lewis said. "I didn't really get any quick innings. Seemed like I was always pitching out of the stretch. Always had to work."
April 25, 2015 Page 32 of 36
Wilson is 1-1 with a 8.76 ERA in his last five starts against Texas, the last in September 2013. Prince Fielder, 6 for 12 lifetime against him and batting .375 this season, will face the left-hander for the first time while in a Rangers uniform.
Pujols is 7 for 15 with two homers in the regular season versus Lewis but batting .177 to start this year. Kole Calhoun, hitting .275, is 6 for 13.
Mike Trout is 3 for 24 in his last seven games but 10 for 19 in a six-game hit streak against the Rangers. He has six hits in his last 15 at-bats against Lewis, including a pair of homers.
FROM ESPN
Angels could regret Hamilton decision
By Buster Olney
The respective histories of Josh Hamilton and Alex Rodriguez are very different. Hamilton is an addict struggling for sobriety, after having a relapse in recent months. Rodriguez, on the other hand, has been a repeated user of banned substances, lying about it over and over, and for his offenses he was given a record suspension.
But the choice that the Angels and the Yankees faced with these two players has been, at the absolute root, very much the same:
Given the amount of money we owe this player, is it possible that we could recoup enough value to offset the possible downside of keeping him on our team and in our clubhouse?
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner decided, in the end, to keep Rodriguez, in spite of a lot of media advice to the contrary (including my own), in spite of Rodriguez's legal actions against the team and its medical staff and in the face of a lot of risk of backlash because of how reviled A-Rod had become during his summer of infamy.
In the end, Steinbrenner did not want to flush $61 million and buy out Rodriguez while there was still even a remote chance that the player could still produce and that the value of what he did on the field could outweigh any problems off the field. This may have been more about the stubbornness of a fiscal conservative rather than a baseball evaluator's patience, but however he got there, this was Steinbrenner's reasoning.
So far, the decision has paid off, more than he or anybody else probably imagined. Rodriguez has not only been the Yankees' best hitter for the first days of the regular season, but he was one of the better hitters in the majors, with four homers and 11 RBIs. Rodriguez's numbers have stabilized in the past week, but it appears that the Yankees will continue to derive some benefit from his presence in their lineup, especially with Carlos Beltran struggling so badly.
Rodriguez's early success helps to frame the lack of logic in the Angels' decision to eat about $60 million to banish Hamilton from their island -- in a low-risk, cash-only deal for the Rangers, Evan Grant reports.
April 25, 2015 Page 33 of 36
Perhaps the Angels are certain that Hamilton's time as a high-end offensive player is over, following his mediocre seasons of 2013 and 2014. From ESPN Stats & Information: Since his MVP season in 2010 when he led the majors with a 1.044 OPS, Hamilton has been on the decline.
Josh Hamilton OPS, Since 2010 YEAR OPS 2010 1.044 2011 .882 2012 .930 2013 .739<< 2014 .745<< >>.741 OPS with Angels (.912 OPS in five seasons with Rangers)
But remember, Hamilton doesn't turn 34 until later this month. He had bursts last season in which he hit well.
So it may be that this deal gone awry became so personal for the Angels' ownership that Arte Moreno just wants Hamilton out of his sight. Which would be somewhat ridiculous, because Hamilton's history of addiction was hardly a secret. The real possibility that this would take a turn for the worse was always in play. Other teams evaluated Hamilton as a potential target when he was a free agent and ran in the other direction, based on what they heard about his issues. The fact the Angels bid far more for Hamilton than any other team was their mistake.
Hamilton has an easygoing personality and has always been generally well-liked by other players. Yes, in his time with the Rangers, others on the team grew frustrated with his inconsistency, with his unreliability, with the daily effort required to get him into a mindset in which he felt he could function. Unlike someone like Tim Raines, who buried his past addiction so deeply that some teammates were only vaguely aware of it, Hamilton's challenge was omnipresent even when he was sober.
But if Hamilton actually rebounds and goes back to being an effective player for the Rangers -- for only a fraction of the cost, given that Texas is paying him only $15 million for three seasons -- then the Angels will have doubled down on their mistake, in failing to find a way to live with him and help him become a good player again.
Unless the Angels are absolutely convinced Hamilton cannot be an effective hitter, this decision makes little sense.
The Rangers are likely to benefit from the arrogance of Arte Moreno, writes Pedro Moura. This makes sense for the Rangers, writes Kevin Sherrington. I totally agree with that.
Why would the Rangers trade for Josh Hamilton? Their outfielders have stunk this season, ranking 25th in extra-base hits, 28th in OPS and 29th in batting average.
Numbers say Josh Hamilton's best days are behind him
By David Schoenfield
What a strange world baseball has become. The Los Angeles Dodgers are paying Matt Kemp to play for their division rival San Diego Padres. And now the Los Angeles Angels will apparently pay Josh April 25, 2015 Page 34 of 36
Hamilton to play for their division rival Texas Rangers. The Angels have reportedly agreed to send Hamilton to the Rangers and will pick up all but $15 million of the remaining $83 million on Hamilton's final three years of his contract.
It's certainly a best-case scenario for Hamilton, a return to the franchise where he won the 2010 American League MVP Award and bashed 43 home runs in 2012, his final season there. For the Angels, owner Arte Moreno clearly wanted nothing more of Hamilton on his team, no matter the money he'd have to eat. For the Rangers, at $5 million per season, it's a worthwhile gamble to see if the 33-year- old outfielder (34 in May) can produce, especially considering their left fielders are hitting .173 with one home run entering Friday's action.
Hamilton will have to win back Rangers fans, who turned on him at the end of 2012 as the Rangers collapsed and lost the division to the A's, with Hamilton dropping a fly ball in the crucial season-ending loss to Oakland. Later, after signing with the Angels, he called Dallas a football town -- which, for some reason, drew a lot of criticism considering the accuracy of the statement.
The biggest issue, however: What kind of player are the Rangers getting?
Based on his two seasons with the Angels, they're certainly not getting the player who hit .359 the year he won the MVP. They're probably not getting the player who hit .285/.354/.577 in 2012. With the Angels he hit .255/.316/.426. The warning signs were there when they signed him that he was a risk, aside from his off-the-field issues. His strikeout rate had been around 17 percent in 2010 and 2011 but jumped up to 25.5 percent in 2012. He was still mashing home runs -- he hit 14 in August and September of 2012 despite striking out 67 times those two months. In 2011, he had struck out just 93 times all season.
The high strikeout rates continued with the Angels. He fanned 158 times in 636 plate appearances in 2013 (24.8 percent) and 108 times in 381 plate appearances in 2014 (28.4 percent). But this time, the batting averages and power numbers didn't follow. Some of that was due to his new pitcher-friendly home park -- all 10 of his home runs in 2014 came on the road and 12 of his 21 in 2013 -- but pitchers simply exploited his weaknesses and willingness to chase pitches out of the zone, especially with two strikes.
But his decline hasn't been as simple as Hamilton merely chasing more pitches out of the zone. That, in theory, is something that could be corrected. Check out his overall swing rates and his percentage of swings on pitches out of the strike zone:
Overall swing rates
2010 -- 54.5 percent
2011 -- 56.4 percent
2012 -- 58.4 percent
2013 -- 55.2 percent
2014 -- 53.8 percent
Chase rate April 25, 2015 Page 35 of 36
2010 -- 36.4 percent
2011 -- 38.6 percent
2012 -- 43.6 percent
2013 -- 39.7 percent
2014 -- 40.1 percent
So, chasing a few more pitches has been an issue, although his overall swing rate was actually lower in 2014. He, undoubtedly, has been told numerous times to stop swinging so much; it hasn't helped.
What jumps out to me, however, is his growing ineffective with two strikes. In 2010, he hit .270/.344/.500 with two strikes. In 2012, he hit .163/.225/.310. In 2014, he hit .144/.212/.210. Has he been pitched differently? Let's check out the pitch location maps with two strikes from 2010 and 2014:
ESPN Stats & Info
April 25, 2015 Page 36 of 36
ESPN Stats & Info
There's some slight differences there, but pitchers have always attacked him away with two strikes -- hoping, of course, to get him to chase that pitch just off the zone. The simple matter is Hamilton no longer does damage with that pitch. I don't see that as a problem that can be fixed; it's a player who is a little older, a player with a little less bat speed, a player without the control of the strike zone to make up for these deficiencies.
So what are the Rangers getting? Sure, maybe his numbers will see a little boost playing in Arlington, where the ball flies out to right field. He was worth 1.5 WAR each of the past two seasons; that caliber of player gets more than $5 million on the free market. So in a dollars-to-value sense, the Rangers' investment should pay off (all this is assuming he recovers fully from shoulder surgery). One 2-WAR season will earn the $15 million they're paying him.
Just don't expect 40 home runs or MVP votes again. At this point, Hamilton projects as a marginally useful outfielder. But not so useful that the Angels didn't mind giving him away to a rival.