Texas Rangers Sign Josh Hamilton to two-year Contract

The Texas Rangers have signed their outfielder Josh Hamilton to a contract for two years and will pay him $24 million.  Hamilton won American League MVP honors last season and had more than 30 home runs to go along with more than 100 RBI.

The contract is structured so that Hamilton will receive a $3 million signing bonus in addition to $7.25 million this season and $13.75 million in the 2012 season.  The signing bonus is almost as much as he made last yea, $3.25 million.

Hamilton is a key part of the Rangers team who made the World Series last year for the first time ever.  He has battled many demons in his career to return to the form that made him the number one pick in the MLB draft.

The Rangers are looking to keep Hamilton around after this contract expires as well.  Jon Daniels, the Rangers general manager, pointed to the Ranger's wanting Hamilton on the team, as well as Hamilton's desire to keep his family in Texas.  The deal came before scheduled arbitration meetings next week, which the Rangers have avoided for 11 years.