Texas Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan does not expect a new contract for Josh Hamilton by the end of this season, according to ESPN.com.
The Rangers do not expect to approach a new deal for the 31-year-old Hamilton until late November or December, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
When asked about Hamilton's willingness to stay in Texas, Ryan had this to say:
It's hard to predict what's going to happen with Josh. Things will have to play out. I truly think he would like to stay in Arlington, the Metroplex and be a member of the Texas Rangers. I think he's very comfortable and his family is very comfortable. We are certainly in hopes that we'll able to work a deal out with him. But I think [Hamilton and his agent] had the mindset they'll go through the season and see what happens and see what the market is for Josh Hamilton. It's hard to make any kind of prediction where that will go. I think it's probably pretty much where we are.
The Rangers would certainly love to have Hamilton swinging in Arlington for a long, long time. He is one of the league's true 5-tool players.
Let's see why Ryan and Rangers management were smart to table contract negotiations until the 2012 season is over.
Team Distraction
The Rangers will likely be in the thick of a hotly contested AL West pennant race this summer, making Hamilton's contract a blip on the radar.
Hamilton, as a leader, should understand this.
The Rangers do not need anything distracting their players from the task at hand. A pennant race demands team chemistry, and top performances from your team's top talents.
Hamilton's contract would distract from all of these things.
Discussing a contract requires time, energy and focus that could be better spent on the field, improving your team's World Series chances. Selflessness is required sometimes to take the next step as a professional franchise.
The Rangers front office is smart to put Hamilton's contract away and make sure no one is bigger than the team itself.
Triple Crown Season
Hamilton currently has 18 home runs, 45 RBI and an .826 slugging percentage—all of these lead the major leagues.
Hamilton is also hitting an American League best .399 with the second-best AL hit total (55).
Needless to say, Hamilton is having an OK season. Granted, it is early, but Hamilton is hitting the ball with reckless abandon.
Whenever a player enjoys a torrid start like this, Triple Crown whispers spread like wildfire.
The Rangers and Hamilton do not need to distract him from his superhuman pace. He is in the zone, nearly impossible to keep off the bases and not looking to slow down anytime soon.
Hamilton's focus needs to be on each at-bat and each ball hit his way, not on his bank account. He appears focused on the field, and claims to be off the field:
I wouldn't be worried about free agency [because] I'm going to concentrate on the Rangers and play baseball for this year and that's what I'm doing. I'm praying a lot about it; God will show up whether I'll be here or somewhere else. It's not about where I want to be -- it's where he wants me to be.
The Rangers need to make sure Hamilton's attitude stays this way. He is going to get paid one way or the other. Whether it be with the Rangers next year or another high-budget club, Hamilton is going to get his money.
For now, he needs to focus on the Rangers' American League pennant chances and his blistering pace at the plate.
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