ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton, the AL MVP, and the Rangers agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract Thursday.
The deal, four days before a scheduled arbitration hearing in Phoenix, covers his last two arbitration-eligible seasons. Hamilton can become a free agent after the 2012 season.
Hamilton, who hit a major league-leading .359 last season with 32 homers and 100 RBIs, gets a $3 million signing bonus, a $7.25 million salary this year and $13.75 million in 2012.
“We want to be a part of this organization, not only for the next couple of years, but for a long time to come,” Hamilton said.
While the Rangers settled the contract for Hamilton, they are still trying to accommodate Michael Young’s request for a trade. Young is the team’s career hits leader and longest- tenured player after 10 seasons.
Strasburg begins throwing
WASHINGTON — Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has begun throwing as he moves forward with his recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery.
The right-hander, operated on Sept. 3, began a “soft toss” program in San Diego with a physical therapist. He will start a more formalized throwing program when he arrives at spring training in Viera, Fla.
Recuperation time from the surgery is usually 12 to 18 months. Strasburg went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts as a rookie last year.
Weaver loses arbitration
PHOENIX — The Angels defeated Jered Weaver in salary arbitration. The pitcher will get a raise from $4,265,000 to $7,365,000 instead of his request for $8.8 million.
The 28-year-old right-hander was 13-12 with a 3.01 ERA in 34 starts for the Angels last season and led the major leagues with 233 strikeouts. His record was down from 16-8 in 2009, but his ERA improved from 3.75.
Players and owners have split the two decisions thus far this winter. Pittsburgh pitcher Ross Ohlendorf won Wednesday despite going 1-11 last season.
Footnotes.
Outfielder Luke Scott and the Orioles avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $6.4 million, one-year deal.
• The Indians and Orlando Cabrera agreed to a contract pending the infielder passing a physical.
The Associated Press
