Josh Hamilton has likely played his last game with the Los Angeles Angels.
MLB.com’s TR Sullivan reports that the team is on the verge of trading the 33-year-old outfielder to his former team, the Texas Rangers.
This report comes on the heels of an earlier Sports Illustrated report saying Hamilton and the Angels were likely to part ways “in a matter of days.”
In order to complete the deal Los Angeles will be paying the vast majority of the $83 million remaining on Hamilton’s contract reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports.
The former MVP experienced a tumultuous offseason that included a relapse into drug and alcohol abuse. The Angels were reportedly disappointed that Hamilton wasn’t disciplined by the MLB for these actions and the relationship between the club and player appeared to sour.
Hamilton signed a free agent contract with the Angels prior to the 2013 season worth $125 million over five seasons. In his first two seasons in Los Angeles he managed a .255/.316/.426 line, well below his career averages of .292/.352/.519. He also hit 31 home runs and recorded 123 RBI.
Currently, Hamilton is recovering from shoulder surgery and the timetable for his return is uncertain.
