Poll: Is Hamilton worth the risk?

by Daedalus on Dec 7, 2006 3:31 PM EST

"After he's endured an extremely long career detour from baseball caused by drugs, alcohol and injuries, can former overall No. 1 pick Josh Hamilton ever reach his potential?

The Reds decided it was worth the risk to find out.

The usually mundane proceedings of Thursday's Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings took an interesting turn when the Cubs selected Hamilton from Tampa Bay with the third pick of the day. Chicago turned around and dealt the 25-year-old outfielder to the Reds for cash considerations.

Under the Rule 5 provisions, Hamilton must stay on Cincinnati's 25-man Major League roster for the entire season, or be offered back to Tampa Bay for $25,000."

Interesting. I've always felt bad for this guy. Hopefully he can turn his life around and be productive.

Do you think he's worth the risk?

Poll

Is he worth the risk?

the voices in my head are arguing about it

6 votes

Yes

87 votes

No

5 votes

98 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Hell yes he's worth the risk.

Just don't let him hang out with Freel or Bronson and I think it's a good move.

by Geki on Dec 7, 2006 3:33 PM EST reply actions

what in the hell

is that supposed to mean?

by Farney on Dec 7, 2006 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

It's not wise to tempt the former addict.

Well, partially, between Freel with his drinking and Bronson with his rumored cocaine use and rock-and-roll lifestyle, I don't think it would be wise to have them around Hamilton.

But mostly I was just making a snide comment.

by Geki on Dec 7, 2006 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

Im not a figment

of a small man's imagination... i'm a real boy!

Fynal Cut... Get skewered

by boobs on Dec 7, 2006 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

Hey Farney

They say that Hamilton is battling inner-demons. Is that the same as inner-midgets? Or are those inner-midgets that have gone to the dark side?

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 6:31 PM EST up reply actions

First time attempting an image, hopes this works..

Inner demons look like this.

[IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/bcartwright81/brownies.jpg[/IMG]

by Brendanukkah on Dec 7, 2006 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

well crap

You can follow the link I guess.

by Brendanukkah on Dec 7, 2006 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

use the normal HTML <img> tag

See the wiki for proper instructions.

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

sorry

i didn't see the big, bold print on the main page with the update...

winter is boooooooring

by Daedalus on Dec 7, 2006 3:34 PM EST reply actions

Hamilton

Couldnt be much worse than Hopper/Wise/McCracken, could he?

I like this move, though it seems as if there wont be alot of flexibility in the roster until the season starts and we find out if Hamilton and Burton are worth keeping.

by Stevo154 on Dec 7, 2006 3:49 PM EST reply actions

Hamilton

It couldn't hurt to bring him to spring training and see what he has. With so many players getting outrageous contracts it never hurts to have a few (or more) low risks guys w/ a lot to prove in spring training.

It's possible the Reds could give Tampa cash or a non prospect for Hamilton and then they wouldn't be required to keep him on the 25 man roster. I like this pickup a lot better than Quinton McCracken, Todd Hollandsworth, et al.

by JCH888 on Dec 7, 2006 3:56 PM EST reply actions

ESPN article

Jerry Crasnick (subscription) summarizes Hamilton's troubled past and where he is now. He certainly grabbed my attention in the beginning:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- After snorting enough cocaine, drinking enough booze and seeing enough suns come up to jeopardize his baseball career and his life, Josh Hamilton finally found peace in the company of the Lord. And he became adept at reading signs.

Crasnick also mentions how Narron's nephews played ball with Hamilton as kids. If Narron is able to turn this guy around with his North Carolina connection and folksy charm (?!), I may have to rethink my position on him.

The article also says that the Reds will likely pick a mentor for him. Dunn seems like a natural candidate.

by ken on Dec 7, 2006 5:30 PM EST reply actions

mentor

You don't need cocaine. We're going to Shoney's!

by Red Menace on Dec 7, 2006 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

And then...

Let's hit lots of homeruns and get lots of strikeouts.

Don't mind me...just thinking positive and pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on Dec 7, 2006 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

My first thought was..

The intro to Weird Al's Fat:

"Yo, Ding Dong, man. Ding Dong. Ding Dong, yo!"

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

And YouTube comes through

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFvCVs-NPz8

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

He replaces one drug with another

His new one is far more dangerous to society.

/end snark

winter is boooooooring

by Daedalus on Dec 7, 2006 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

risk

I ripped Wayne for the acquisition, implying that he's a bit of a laughingstock to the other GMs, but when I found out it only costs $25,000 if they don't keep him on the 25-man, I thought about it and voted that he IS worth the risk.

I don't know, however, how much money the Reds gave the Cubs for him. Anyone know that yet?

by greg456 on Dec 7, 2006 9:11 PM EST reply actions

Going rate

for a Rule V pick is around $100,000

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Dec 7, 2006 9:14 PM EST up reply actions

well, then...

I'm not so sure I would have voted yes. I just can't see this guy sticking and helping the Reds. Although...maybe he keeps the Reds from carrying three catchers, so that would be a bonus.

by greg456 on Dec 7, 2006 9:37 PM EST up reply actions

Come on, man.

$100,000?

That's 6 weeks of Bubba Crosby.

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Dec 7, 2006 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

Abso-frickin-loutely

Is Hamilton worth it.

After seeing the RealSPORTS bio on him, I can only say that I hope he can stay clean.

Pretty impressive.

And 100K is chump change for major league talent. If he doesn't work out, then we even get 25k of that back. A no-lose deal if you ask me.

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball" - Pete Rose

by Officer Dibble on Dec 8, 2006 10:24 AM EST reply actions

Crucial

It's not only worth it, it's crucial. This is exactly the kind of pick-up a low-budget, small-market team has to make to stay competitive. Will it pan out? Who knows? But if you play it safe with a small payroll, you're doomed to mediocrity.

by ctnyc on Dec 10, 2006 1:31 AM EST reply actions