Hamilton wants $25 million a year

[mike honcho]

ARLINGTON (CBS SPORTS) - There’s no question that Josh Hamilton is the top position player on the free agent market, but there are plenty of questions as to just what he’s worth on the open market. CBS Sports senior writer Scott Miller wrote a little bit about this question on Friday, but it appears Hamilton has his own ideas.
Baseball Prospectus writer John Perrotto sent out a tweet on Friday. “From someone who knows these things: Josh Hamilton’s asking price is 7 years and $175M.”
There’s no question Hamilton at his best could command that kind of money, but it seems like there are just too many questions for anyone to hand out that kind of contract.


No way.To much baggage with him.

 

[Benevolent One]

This is a really strange situation. He is undoubtedly a great baseball player. He is also injury prone and he has well documented chemical dependance issues. He is worth $25 mil a year if he stays mostly healthy and doesn't relapse. The risks will scare off several teams, but all it takes is one team and I believe there will be one who steps up with $20 mil a year or more, but maybe not for 7 years. I just hope it's not a team I hate, like the Yankees. Josh Hamilton is my favorite athlete, but even he couldn't make me root for them.

 

[mike honcho]

Nobody is worth $25 mil.IMO

 

[Benevolent One]

Nobody is worth $25 mil.IMO

That is a relative concept. Is Lebron James worth almost $20 million a year like he gets paid from Miami? Absolutely, but only because he adds much more value than that to the team he plays for. When he left the Cavaliers, the value of the team went straight in the toilet. Baseball is a little different, in that one player can't have the impact on his team that a basketball player can have on his team. The best hitter only comes up to bat about once every 9 hitters. The best pitchers only pitch once every 5 games or so. However, if a player like Hamilton can put a very good team over the top and make them a Champion, then he would certainly be worth that much money and more.

 

[AndyMarquisLive]

If he goes to a team that needs starpower and ticket sales like Cleveland, Miami or Pittsburgh, he's worth every penny. If he goes to a team that's selling out weekly and playing well like the Evil Empire, San Fran or St. Louis, it's a waste.

 

[Benevolent One]

If he goes to a team that needs starpower and ticket sales like Cleveland, Miami or Pittsburgh, he's worth every penny. If he goes to a team that's selling out weekly and playing well like the Evil Empire, San Fran or St. Louis, it's a waste.

I can see that logic. However, in the case of teams like Cleveland and Pittsburgh, he would be paid so much more than any other player on the team that it may cause some problems with lesser players' egos. Miami actually has a few star players and they still can't sell out because Miami is just a horrible sports town.