It's official: Josh Hamilton traded to Rangers
Josh Hamilton is back in a Texas Rangers uniform.
The club officially traded for the outfielder from the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Angels will get a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Hamilton left Texas at the end of the 2012 season and signed a five year deal with the Los Angeles Angels.
"If I could change the past, I would not have left," Hamilton said at a press conference.
The relationship between Hamilton and the Angels had become irreconcilable and the club had been actively seeking a way to get rid of the slugger since spring training.
"Over the course of the last few weeks, it became clear that Josh wanted to return to Texas," said Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto in a statement. "We were able to complete a trade that in the end is the right decision for everyone involved."
Hamilton continues to rehab his shoulder that was operated on during the offseason and will join the Rangers on the 15-day disabled list.
"At the end of the day, this is was a pretty easy decision for us," Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels said. "This is about a player we think can be productive and help us win games."
Hamilton did address one of the biggest problems Rangers fans had with him. Hamilton memorably said Arlington was not a baseball town when he left in 2012.
"I've said some done things," Hamilton said. "And I'll continue to say dumb things from time to time. I'm not going to sit here all day trying to clarify things I've said, because we'd be here for a while. I just want all the fans to know I'm back home and I'm going to give you everything I've got just like I did when I was here."
Off the field, Hamilton recently filed for divorce with his wife in a Tarrant County court. He also reportedly relapsed during the offseason, which was the final straw for Angels officials. Hamilton was not disciplined by MLB after a ruling from an arbitrator in April.
Hamilton said his support system had been taken apart the past few years, but he said it has been reassembled now that he's back in Texas.
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