LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Angels grabbed Major League Baseball's prized free agent for a second consecutive year Thursday by signing slugger Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract. Hamilton, a five-time All-Star who overcame drug and alcohol addictions to become one of Major League Baseball's most feared hitters, powered the Texas Rangers to consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. He joins a high-powered Angels lineup that includes three-time National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Albert Pujols, a 32-year-old slugger who signed a 10-year $240 million deal with the team last year. The Rangers had been hopeful of resigning the 2010 American League MVP and admitted they were caught off guard by Hamilton's jump to their American League West division rivals. “Our full expectation was that the phone call was going to be before he signed, certainly not after,” Texas General Manager Jon Daniels said on the team's website. “Josh had indicated recently, last week, he told us he felt it might be time to move on but that we were still talking ... I'm a little disappointed in how it was handled, but he had a decision to make and he made it.” The 31-year-old hard-hitting outfielder broke into the major leagues in 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds but was traded to the Rangers the following year. Hamilton has a career .304 batting average, 553 runs batted in and 161 home runs, including a career-high 43 last season. The Rangers stood by Hamilton as he battled to control is addictions, including a relapse before the start of last season. Suzuki-Yankees deal close Ichiro Suzuki and the New York Yankees are closing in on a contract that would guarantee the Japanese outfielder between $12 million and $13 million. A person familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing, said Thursday the agreement likely would be for a two-year deal. Acquired from the Seattle Mariners on July 23, the 39-year-old Suzuki revived his career in New York. He batted .261 with four homers, 28 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 95 games with the Mariners, then hit .322 with five homers, 27 RBIs and 14 steals in 67 games for the Yankees to help them win the American League East. A 10-time All-Star, Suzuki has 2,606 hits in 12 major league seasons. Cabrera signs with Chunichi The Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League have signed former major league pitcher Daniel Cabrera. The Dragons said Friday they have signed the 31-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic to a one-year deal worth $450,000 plus performance bonuses. Cabrera has a 48-65 record with a 5.10 ERA over six seasons in the major leagues with the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks. — Agencies
