When Josh Hamilton reported to Surprise, Ariz., for Texas Rangers spring training, he scorched some earth in the process.
Hamilton went on a little bit of an unprovoked outburst when he said he didn't owe the Rangers anything after he was asked about possibly giving the team a hometown discount when he hits free agency following the 2012 season.
Later on, after realizing that was stupid, he came out and said he would let the Rangers have first crack at him in free agency, but Rangers general manager Jon Daniels didn't forget Hamilton's comments.
"I still don't like the choice of words because it has a bad connotation, leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth," Daniels told ESPN 103.3 FM. "But I think hearing it in context, and then hearing it with what he followed up with, I understand a little bit of what he was trying to get across. I don't think I would've phrased it that way."
Here's the thing: Hamilton was right. He doesn't owe the Rangers anything. Hometown discounts are ridiculous. But he shouldn't have come out and said what he did, and Daniels is apparently echoing those sentiments.
After Hamilton's public alcohol relapse, he and the Rangers said they would hold off on contract negotiations for the time being. Daniels said the two parties are still, and will continue to be, in discussions.
"No doors have been closed, we're still going to keep talking," Daniels said.
