Josh Hamilton’s Future with the Angels in Doubt
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Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(ANAHEIM, Calif.) — Even though Major League Baseball will not discipline outfielder Josh Hamilton for his latest relapse into substance abuse, his future with the club is cloudy at best.
Angels’ owner Arte Moreno stated that Hamilton’s contract contains certain language that protects the team against a relapse by Hamilton.
According to the player’s union, no such language exists.
“To the contrary, the collectively bargained provisions of the [Joint Drug Agreement] and the Basic Agreement supersede all other player contract provisions and explicitly prevent clubs from exactly the type of action Mr. Moreno alluded to,” the MLBPA said in a statement.
Reporters asked Moreno on Friday night whether Hamilton definitely would play again for the team. Moreno’s response was “I will not say that.”
Hamilton has three years left on his current contract that will pay him $83 million.
“It’s not about money,” Moreno said. “Nothing about money.”
The former American League MVP has battled addiction going back to his time with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He overcame his dependency to become one of baseball best hitters, but he hasn’t produced during his time in Los Angels and his latest relapse has his playing career in doubt.
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