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| Jared Wickerham/Getty Images |
According to
USA Today's Bob Nightengale,
the Texas Rangers will not offer Josh Hamilton more than a three-year contract—not the seven-year
, $175 million
pact that is his
starting point for negotiation. In a sense, this action by Texas sends a message that the team who knows him best is not willing to risk a longer deal. If that serves to "set the market" for Hamilton back down to the 3-4 year range,
it might make the slugger more attractive to a team like the Red Sox. As
WEEI's Lou Merloni has stated, Hamilton would immediately transform the Red Sox line-up back into a fearsome force. Of course, it still raises the question of whether, say, a 4-year offer to Hamilton would fit the "discipline" mantra emanating from Yawkey Way. One thing for certain—it would sell tickets.
