Report: Josh Hamilton, Angels could reach buyout settlement

The Los Angeles Angels appear to be exploring all options for unloading outfielder Josh Hamilton, and a buyout agreement is one possibility.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that a “number of scenarios” are in play for the Angels to part ways with the 33-year-old slugger, one of which is a buyout settlement. Rosenthal notes that former MLB pitchers Sidney Ponson and Denny Neagle are two players who agreed to take slightly less money to reach buyout settlements with their teams following violations of personal conduct clauses, though such deals are generally frowned upon by the MLB Players Association.

Ponson, who reached a settlement with the Baltimore Orioles, and Neagle, who was bought out by the Colorado Rockies, reportedly took somewhere in the range of 75 to 90 cents on the dollar.

The Angels could also look to trade Hamilton, though he has $83 million remaining on his current contract and is seemingly dealing with a number of off-field issues. Hamilton reportedly relapsed back in February, and it was recently discovered that he filed for divorce from his wife Katie around the same time.

The Angels basically admitted that they are looking for a way to get out of Hamilton’s contract in the wake of his relapse. If they’re unable to void the deal and no team is interested in a trade, a buyout may make the most sense.