The baseball player who could be paid $70m to leave his team: After divorcing Real Housewife and drug relapse, Josh Hamilton risks being dropped by Los Angeles Angels 

  • Los Angeles Angels are close to deal sending outfielder to Texas Rangers 
  • Hamilton admitted to relapsing and abusing drugs and alcohol in February
  • Still has $83m left on five-year, $125million contract with Angels from 2012
  • Filed for divorce from Real Housewives of Orange County's Katie Hamilton
  • 33-year-old was All Star during five-year span with Rangers from 2008-12

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are so desperate to rid themselves of Major League Baseball star Josh Hamilton that they might decide to pay almost $70million for him to play for another team.

Hamilton, who has a history of substance abuse and admitted to relapsing with drugs and alcohol in February, is going to be sent back to his former team, the Texas Rangers, according to reports. 

He has been on the disabled list all season after undergoing shoulder surgery on February 4, about the same time he filed for divorce from Real Housewives of Orange County star Katie Hamilton.

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The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are willing to pay almost $70million for Josh Hamilton to play in Texas

Josh Hamilton filed for divorce from his wife, Katie, in late February after they celebrated ten years together

Josh Hamilton filed for divorce from his wife, Katie, in late February after they celebrated ten years together

The 33-year-old (pictured) was an All Star during a five-year span with the Texas Rangers from 2008 until 2012

The 33-year-old outfielder still has about $83million left on the five-year $125million deal he signed with the Angels in 2012. 

In order for the Angels to rid themselves of Hamiton, they would have to agree to pay out the bulk of the cash remaining on his contract, according to MLB.com

The Angels have serious concerns about Josh's conduct, health and behavior
Angels general manager Jerry DiPoto 

The Rangers are only willing to pay around $15million to Hamilton and do not want to give up any players in a trade with Los Angeles, Sports Illustrated reported. 

The Angels would effectively be paying $68million for Hamilton to play in Texas.

Yahoo MLB columnist Jeff Passan said on Twitter: 'Angels wanted Josh Hamilton gone and are paying ~$65M to make it happen. 

'Rangers get a $15M lottery ticket that could be worth much more.' 

Details of the trade and/or buyout are still being negotiated but an announcement is expected in the next few days unless things fall apart. 

Hamilton is no longer allowed to see any of his daugthers without supervision, according to court records

Hamilton is no longer allowed to see any of his daugthers without supervision, according to court records

If it goes through, the Rangers will happily welcome Hamilton back. 

Shortstop Elvis Andrus said: 'He is a player who can help everybody.

The deal could stall, but Hamilton is likely going back to Texas. He won MVP there in 2010

The deal could stall, but Hamilton is likely going back to Texas. He won MVP there in 2010

'He is a guy that we know. When he is at his best, we know what he can do.

'It's not the first time something happened with him outside the field.

'We all did a great job here having his back and supporting him. 

'As long as he shows up and plays hard, I will always have his back.'

Hamilton had been spending the offseason in Houston recovering from surgery to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder when reports began to surface about his drug relapse.

He is still rehabbing from the procedure and could return in May.

During his time with Texas, Hamilton hit .305 with 142 home runs, 506 RBIs and a .549 slugging percentage

During his time with Texas, Hamilton hit .305 with 142 home runs, 506 RBIs and a .549 slugging percentage

The Rangers are willing to pay around $15million to Hamilton and won't give up any players to Los Angeles

The Rangers are willing to pay around $15million to Hamilton and won't give up any players to Los Angeles

Hamilton filed for divorce from wife Katie in February, around the same time he self-reported a cocaine and alcohol relapse.

They married in 2004 and have three daughters together, but court documents show Hamilton is not allowed to see them without supervision.

Katie, who will appear on the 10th season of The Real Housewives of Orange County when it airs this summer, has a daughter from a previous relationship.

The divorce petition only cited 'conflict' as the reason for the split. 

The veteran outfielder was suspended for three seasons between 2003-05 for well-documented issues with substance abuse and undergoes regular drug testing as a condition of his reinstatement into baseball in 2005.

The slugger beat his early addiction problems and became one of the game's most feared hitters over a five-year span with the Texas Rangers from 2008-12.

Hamilton was named an American League All-Star in each of those seasons and captured the AL MVP award in 2010.

MLB officials thought Hamilton violated his treatment with the relapse, but the players' association disagreed

MLB officials thought Hamilton violated his treatment with the relapse, but the players' association disagreed

The Hamiltons have three daughters together
Josh and Katie have been married for ten years

The Hamiltons, pictured last year, have not listed the reasons behind their divorce, citing only 'conflict'

MLB officials thought Hamilton violated his treatment program with the recent relapse, but the players' association disagreed.

After league and union representatives were unable to reach an agreement in the case, an arbitrator was called in.

The arbitrator said Hamilton did not violate terms of the agreement, although the reasoning behind the decision was not divulged.

Major League Baseball released a statement saying it disagreed with the arbitrator's decision.

When the decision was announced, Angels general manager Jerry DiPoto said: 'The Angels have serious concerns about Josh's conduct, health and behavior and we are disappointed that he has broken an important commitment which he made to himself, his family, his teammates and our fans,' 

'We are going to do everything possible to assure he receives proper help for himself and for the well-being of his family.' 

Plagued by injuries last season, Hamilton had only 381 at-bats and posted ten home runs, 44 runs batted in and a .263 batting average.

He has a career batting average of .292, has hit as many as 43 home runs in a season (2012) and in 2008 drove in a league-leading 130 runs. 

During his time with the Rangers, Hamilton batted .305 with 142 home runs, 506 RBIs and a .549 slugging percentag

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