This is what we all thought would happen from the beginning, despite recent reports leading us to believe otherwise.
Josh Hamilton is gone. And while it hurts a bit that Hamilton is off to the Rangers' fiercest rivals, the Angels gave him more money than the Rangers likely would have, signing him to a 5-year deal for $125 million.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels said on KTCK-AM 1310 this morning with The Musers that he wasn't mad, as some fans seem to be, that Hamilton didn't give the Rangers a chance to match the Angels' offer, but he was disappointed with the fact that he never got a chance to meet with Hamilton and his agent, which he was reportedly set to do Thursday afternoon. Instead, the Angels swooped in and signed Hamilton.
He didn't say for sure whether the Rangers would've matched Hamilton's offer if given the chance, but he did say it would be doubtful as they would not have acted on emotion, which is what makes this front office so great.
Daniels and the Rangers had apparently offered Hamilton a four-year deal worth $108 million and could've discussed the option of adding a fifth-year club option. But five guaranteed that the Angels gave them? Not a chance.
Business is business, and the Angels obviously have a different approach to business as evidenced by their signings of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson and their trade for Vernon Wells.
