Josh Hamilton’s allergy issues nothing to sneeze at

Josh Hamilton said he has changed sinus medication and is scheduled to be tested for allergies, but he wanted to make one thing about his weakened condition perfectly clear.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with my .200 batting average,” he said.

The Angels limited Hamilton to designated hitter Tuesday, one day after the right fielder came out of a game with what Manager Mike Scioscia called dizziness. Hamilton said he has had sinus and throat discomfort for about 10 days and said he hoped a change in medication would help.

He also said he has arranged for a visit to an allergist, recalling that respiratory issues would flare when he played for the Texas Rangers and that team visited its American League West rivals.

“Every time I’d come to the West Coast, it would get worse,” he said.

Hamilton said his current medical issues were not related to his condition last September, when he missed five games because of dryness and blurring in his eyes. The condition was traced to excessive use of caffeine and energy drinks.

“Last September was a caffeine issue,” he said. “This is an actual sickness.”

Look, Caffeine Dependency is a REAL sickness that affects millions of people every day. How dare you mock us.

No matter how good the player, age will take its toll. | SportsonEarth.com : Joe Posnanski Article

If I were building a team from scratch (and I am in my sim league this year) I would take Hosmer and Perez. At least I would if my league’s setup wasn’t so geared to this year. :)

All of which brings us back to the original question: Who would you rather have in the middle of your lineup for the next five years—Pujols and Hamilton or Hosmer and Perez?

And I’ll just say it: I would take my chances with Hosmer and Perez. Hosmer had a terrible 22-year-old season, but he was terrific as a 21-year-old rookie, and it’s too easy to forget just how young a 22-year-old player really is. The player Hosmer reminds me of—Joey Votto—was in Double-A as a 22-year-old. Heck, Votto spent most of his age-23 season in Triple-A. I think Hosmer is going to be a masher.

And Salvy Perez? Superstar. Defensively he’s incredible—best catch-and-throw catcher in the American League right now, at 22. Offensively, he’s undisciplined, but he hit .301 with some power in a half-season—way ahead of where they thought he’d be. Sure, it’s insane to compare those meager accomplishments against two men with 630-plus homers and four MVPs and 14 All-Star appearances and ...

red sox - Reassessing risk: How many years is too many for Josh Hamilton? - WEEI | Alex Speier

Three years and no more.

All of that being the case, it’s not only Hamilton who represents a cautionary tale for a deal of more than three years at his age. It’s virtually anyone with his track record, regardless of background, who reaches the point of potentially precipitous decline in value by the time he turns 35.

The Sox in recent years have received some brutal lessons in the payroll-choking impact of having high-salaried players who were unable to stay on the field. The team was unable to maneuver in response to needs last offseason in no small part because it had so much money tied up in players who weren’t going to be on the field (Carl Crawford, John Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bobby Jenks, among others) for significant stretches of 2012.

If the team hopes to avoid a repeat of such scenarios, and to remain true to the mantra of fiscal discipline, then it is difficult to see how pursuing Hamilton for more than three years makes sense.

Winter Meetings Over, But Josh Hamilton Market Ongoing - Over the Monster

I keep reading that the Red Sox would have to trade Ellsbury if they signed Hamilton. Why? With Hamilton in left, Ellsbury in center, and Victorino in right, there would still be plenty of ABs available for Gomes as a 4th outfielder/DH.

I still don’t think it’s likely Hamilton will end up in Boston. But, if he’s available at 3-4 years, it’s possible. The move would make the Sox wild card contenders while not restricting their long-term plans.

Boston signed Shane Victorino at the winter meetings, in a move that presumably locked up their outfield for 2013. However, thanks to Victorino’s ability to play center field, Jacoby Ellsbury—who has just one year remaining with the Red Sox—could be traded, opening up right field once more. The Red Sox seem to only want to do this in a deal that brings them controllable starting pitching, but their desire to do that very thing could be increased if they’re able to bring in another outfielder. Say, Josh Hamilton.

Crashburn Alley » Blog Archive » Greinke, Hamilton, Mental Health, Masculinity and Dignity

A different slant on signing Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke.