Rapid reax: Rangers, Hamilton agree on two years, $24 million

Josh Hamilton and the Rangers agreed on a two-year, $24 million contract on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration.

Time for a rapid reaction: I love this deal.

Clearly, Hamilton, 29, has a past. Drug problems. Injuries. How his body will hold up in his mid-30s is a question no one has the answer to at this point.

But when healthy, he is one of the top 5 players in the game at any position. That's why I love the move by general manager Jon Daniels to go two years and $24 million.

Honestly, $24 million seems like a bargain for a player of Hamilton's value. Take a look at some of the free agent signings this offseason:

Carl Crawford: 7 years, $142 million to Boston
Jayson Werth: 7 years, $126 million to Washington
Cliff Lee: 5 years, $115 million to Philadelphia
Adrian Beltre: 6 years, $96 million to Texas

Hamilton just completed his third year in Texas. Two of the three years have been remarkable. The brief breakdown:

2008 (156 games): .304 avg, 32 HR, 130 RBI, 98 R, 9 SB, .371 OBP, .530 SLG, .901 OPS.
2009 (89 games): .268 avg, 10 HR, 54 RBI, 43 R, 8 SB, .315 OBP, .426 SLG, .741 OPS.
2010 (133 games): .359 avg, 32 HR, 100 RBI, 95 R, 8 SB, .411 OBP, .633 SLG, 1.044 OPS.

Hamilton is under team control for two more years, so if he drives his stock up in time to be a free agent, maybe the relationship with his teammates and the front office will drive him to return to Arlington in two years when he becomes a free agent.

JD killed it with this deal. The natural reaction to signing Hamilton to a long-term deal right now would be fear. Can he play 150 games a year after age 30? Even if he's clean now, will his drug past haunt him with respect to keeping his longevity?

With this contract, the front office can continue to closely track him and see whether he deserves a long-term contract. If Hamilton continues to display that he can be an elite player, bring on the long-term contract in two years. He's helped turn around the franchise.

For now? I'm going to sit back and enjoy this widely affordable contract for one of the best players in baseball.