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          SweetSpot

          Why being released might not end Josh Hamilton's time with Rangers

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          Will Hamilton ever return to the baseball diamond? (0:49)

          Rick Sutcliffe applauds the Rangers for bringing Josh Hamilton back in 2015 but says after the team waived him on Tuesday, it may be best for Hamilton to find something else to do away from the limelight of baseball. (0:49)

          • Jean-Jacques Taylor, ESPN Staff WriterAug 24, 2016, 02:55 PM ET
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              Jean-Jacques Taylor joined ESPNDallas.com in August 2011. A native of Dallas, Taylor spent the past 20 years writing for The Dallas Morning News, where he covered high schools sports, the Texas Rangers and spent 11 seasons covering the Dallas Cowboys before becoming a general columnist in 2006.
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          FRISCO, Texas -- Just a few years ago, Josh Hamilton ruled the American League.

          These days, no one knows if he’ll ever play again.

          This much we do know: If Hamilton plays another season it’ll be for the Texas Rangers.

          The Rangers released Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, on Tuesday, a move Texas needed to make before Sept. 1 because doing so allows the club to re-sign him to a minor league contract and promote him to the big leagues before May 15 of next season.

          Hamilton had been on the 60-day disabled list after having reconstructive knee surgery -- his third surgery in the last nine months. He did not appear in a major league game this season.

          “We plan to monitor Josh’s progress as he continues his rehab process and is medically cleared this winter,” said general manager Jon Daniels said in a statement. “Given the rules in place, releasing him before the end of this month allows us to keep the door open to extending the relationship in the future.”

          The Los Angeles Angels owe the 35-year-old Hamilton $26.4 million for 2017. The Rangers are responsible for an additional $2 million.

          Last month, Hamilton told reporters he wouldn’t mind returning to the Rangers on a minor league contract without a guarantee of a job next spring.

          Understand that he'll never be the Hamilton who hit 43 homers and drove in 128 RBIs in 2012.

          But he could still be a useful role player on a good team.

          He hit .253 with eight homers and 25 RBIs in 50 games in 2015. That’s why the Rangers created a role for him heading into this season, but he couldn’t play through the discomfort in his knee.

          It’s hard to see any other club taking a chance on Hamilton at this point of his career, especially after his failure with the Angels.

          After signing a five-year, $125 million contract with Los Angeles in 2013, Hamilton hit .250 with 21 homers and 79 RBIs in a disappointing season.

          He managed just 10 homers and 44 RBIs in 89 games in 2014 before the Angels essentially gave him to the Rangers for nothing.

          Hamilton has always played his best baseball with the Rangers because they understand his idiosyncrasies and he trusts them, clearing his mind to focus on baseball.

          If Hamilton’s ego can accept a limited role and his body can hold up, Texas will give him an opportunity to earn a job.

          It’s unlikely any other team will.