The Texas Rangers will let their outfielder Josh Hamilton test the market as a free agent this season, said the team's general manager Jon Daniels.
This will give teams a chance to negotiate with the five-time All Star who hit .285 with 43 home runs and 128 RBI this season in 148 games this season.
GM Daniels said "No door has been close. We're also very realistic about when a start player hits free agency at this point and the history of them returning to their original club. So we have to prepare both ways and prepare the club for the possibility that he's not back."
For the past three seasons, Hamilton formed a part of one the most lethal lineups in baseball. Lineups that included Nelson Cruz, Michael Young and Adrian Beltre batting around Hamilton.
Surprisingly, the Rangers did not win the World Series last season, nor did they win in 2010 against the Giants.
This season, Hamilton played a huge role in the Rangers' struggles at the end of the season when they blew a two game lead during a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics.
They finished with the best record in the AL Wild Card, but were bouced in the one-game playoff by the Baltimore Orioles.
Hamilton is 31-years old and when healthy is one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. When he plays at least 130 games he guarantees at least 30 home runs in a season.
It will be interesting to see the lucrative offers that teams will make for Hamilton's services.
Let the offers begin.
