Angels have ‘serious concerns’ about Josh Hamilton

Los Angeles Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto released a statement saying the club has “serious concerns” about outfielder Josh Hamilton. The statement was released shortly after the Angels learned an independent arbitrator ruled Hamilton did not violate the terms of his drug-treatment program, and was not eligible to be suspended by the league.

Dipoto’s statement read:

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.

Given the few details we have about Hamilton’s situation, the statement could be perceived as insensitive. Hamilton reportedly told the league about his most recent binge, signaling that he understands the severity of his addiction and wants to seek help.

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(Getty Images) Until now, the Angels have remained quiet about Hamilton’s situation. With Dipoto using terms like “serious concerns” and “disappointed,” it makes it seem as if he’s publicly scolding Hamilton for wanting to get help.

There is also, perhaps, some bitterness about the Angels being on the hook for the remaining $83 million on Hamilton’s contract. If the 33-year-old were to have been suspended, Los Angeles would not have had to pay Hamilton a portion of that deal. With him now eligible to return, the team will have to pay his $23 million salary for 2015.

That said, it’s unclear when Hamilton will actually return to the field. He was already rehabbing from shoulder injury when news of his relapse broke, and wasn’t expected to open the year with the major-league club. The Angels statement says the team will do “everything possible to assure he receives proper help for himself.”

That sentence can be read a few different ways. The team may be willing to give Hamilton the time to get right, and allow him to deal with the situation until he’s ready to return to the field. It could also imply that the club would prefer Hamilton stay away from the team for quite some time. That’s speculation, of course, but it’s strange considering it comes after a public scolding.

Hamilton has remained quiet about the situation, though may release some type of statement now that his case has been resolved. He’s eligible to return to the Angels when healthy, but it’s unclear whether that’s actually going to happen. Given the statement from Dipoto, there’s potential for this to get worse before it gets better.

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