Outfielder Josh Hamilton, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and second baseman Ian Kinsler, were three of the 14 Texas Ranger players that signed for the 2008 season, according to The Sports Network.
Hamilton, the first overall pick of the 1999 draft, played his rookie season last year for the Cincinnati Reds, although his season was interrupted by an inflamed digestive track and a sprained wrist. The center fielder hit .292 with 19 home runs and 47 RBI in 298 at-bats for Cincinnati, which traded him because of an excess amount of outfielders. Hamilton was out of baseball from 2003-06, and went through eight rehab programs for addictions to alcohol and cocaine. We’ll see if this year he can keep himself in check and healthy, and become one of the more promising acquisitions for the Rangers.
The 22 year old Saltalamacchia, was acquired late last season from the Atlanta Braves in the Mark Teixeira deal. The talented kid, played catcher and first base in 48 games for the Rangers, getting seven of his 11 home runs and 21 of his 33 RBIs after the trade. He hit .266 for Atlanta and Texas.
Kinsler agreed to a one-year deal worth $407,570 on Friday, although a five-year deal could be in reach. If the deal is finalized, Kinsler would join Hank Blalock and Michael Young as Rangers to sign multi-year deals before going to an arbitration hearing. The 25 year old, hit .263 with 20 home runs and 23 stolen bases last season.
The other players that were signed included pitchers Kason Gabbard, Kameron Loe, Scott Feldman, Luis Mendoza, Joshua Rupe, Matt Harrison and John Rheinecker, outfielders Brandon Boggs and Nelson Cruz, infielder Joaquin Arias, and catcher Max Ramirez.
