During a press conference last month, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was asked if he felt he owed the organization anything in contract negotiations. The 2010 American League MVP responded by saying that he didn't.
It was a somewhat surprising reaction that obviously made headlines.
During a Wednesday radio interview, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels gave his thoughts on Hamilton's remarks.
"I still don't like the choice of words because it has a bad connotation, leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth," Daniels told Galloway and Company on 103.3 KESN in Dallas. "But I think hearing it in context, and then hearing it with what he followed up with, I understand a little bit of what he was trying to get across. I don't think I would've phrased it that way.
"The only issue I had with what Josh said is that somebody asked him a follow-up question and he says, 'Well, I play hard, I give what I have on the field with the Rangers.' For me, that's in the job description. That's the expectation. You don't get extra credit for that."
If the two sides don't work out a contract extension, Hamilton will become a free agent at the end of the season. In an attempt to clarify his comments, Hamilton later said his loyalty remains with the Rangers and they would be the first team he talks to in the offseason if he has yet to receive an extension.
Here's Hamilton's initial reaction to the question: "I love Texas. I love my fans. I love fans of the Rangers. I love the organization. I love my teammates. I love everything about it. But I'm not going to sit here and say that I owe the Rangers. I don't feel like I owe the Rangers."
The Rangers had been discussing a long-term deal with Hamilton's agent during the winter, but talks were put on hold in early February after he had his second relapse with alcohol in three years.
Follow Jon Machota on Twitter @jonmachota
