Hamilton signs 2 year contract w/rangers (arb years) for $24 million

[JosephC]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110210&content_id=16610828&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

This deal blew me away because I feel like they are way overpaying for Hamilton's arbitration years, so I was hoping someone could shed some light as to why he is getting $24 million over the next two years rather than just going to arbitration hearings if need be? No way would he get $24 million over two years through arb.

[megamariner]

he submitted 12 million this year with the Rangers submitting 8.7 or so. He won the MVP, so going thru to arb was risky. Plus, taking a player to arbitration can ruin relationships, something the Rangers probably dont want to do. We dont know the breakdown of the contract yet, however lets assume 12 this year 12 next. That would be like Hamilton winning his arb case and not getting a raise next year, something that wouldnt happen.

Lets assume 10 million this year, 14 next. That would be arb settling between the two submitted figures, with a raise going into next year, instead of arb, which as stated above, can be rough on relationships.