Josh Hamilton signs with Angels, and Rangers aren’t happy

Former Texas Rangers slugging superstar Josh Hamilton agreed to a five-year, $125-million deal with the Angels on Thursday, and the Rangers aren’t very pleased with how they found out about it.

Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels, speaking to reporters in Texas, confirmed that agent Mike Moye called to inform him that Hamilton has agreed to a deal with the Angels.

Daniels said that he wasn’t thrilled with the fact that the Rangers did not get an opportunity to match the Angels’ offer, something Hamilton said all along he would give them a chance to do. That could spice up an already heated American League West rivalry between the Angels and Rangers.

“It was our full expectation that the phone call was going to be before he signed, and certainly not after,” Daniels said. “Josh had indicated recently, last week, that he felt it might be time to move on, but we were still talking. We had had additional conversations this week that I thought had moved in a positive direction.”

Daniels confirmed that the Rangers spoke with Hamilton about a deal that could have been more lucrative than the Angels’ price, believed to be $125 million, but Daniels said that the Angels’ deal is for more guaranteed money.

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Angels agree to a five-year, $125-million deal with outfielder Josh Hamilton