LOS ANGELES — Josh Hamilton was introduced as a member of the Los Angeles Angels Saturday and the slugger immediately promised to give everything he has to the team on and off the field. A five-time All-Star who overcame drug and alcohol addictions to become one of Major League Baseball's most feared hitters, Hamilton signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels earlier in the week, leaving the Texas Rangers after helping them to consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. “Excited to be here, excited to think about the next five years, excited to think about this lineup and what it's capable of,” Hamilton told reporters. “It's going to be a good run and I'm going to give everything I've got to the organization on and off the field.” Hamilton 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. Hamilton, a 31-year-old hard-hitting outfielder, broke into the major leagues in 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds but was traded to the Rangers after the season. 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 his addictions, including a relapse before the start of last season. But the slugger got the campaign off to a sizzling start and looked to be a Triple Crown threat after slamming 18 homers in the Rangers' opening 34 games. Hamilton, however, saw his production fall off in the second half of the season finishing with a .285 batting average and 128 runs batted in. “His qualities on the field really don't need much rundown — five consecutive All-Star appearances, an AL MVP, batting champion, Silver Sluggers, you name it,” said Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto. “But more importantly, a fascinating story. And we look forward to this being the next chapter in his life and our organization's history.” Adams agrees to deal with Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies and relief pitcher Mike Adams have agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract, Major League Baseball's website said Saturday. The deal is pending a physical. Adams, 34, posted a 5-3 record with a 3.27 earned run average in 61 appearances with the Texas Rangers last season. Regarded as one of the major league's top setup men, Adams underwent surgery in October for a condition in which a rib bone presses against a nerve, causing pain and numbness in the arm. He is expected to recover in time for spring training. In eight Major League seasons, Adams has an 18-15 record with a 2.28 earned run average. Ichiro-Yankee talks Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki is finalizing terms of a new two-year Major League Baseball contract with the New York Yankees, according to a story on the team's website. Suzuki, obtained from the Seattle Mariners last July, is looking at a deal worth between $12 million and $13 million and terms could be settled as early as next Friday. The 39-year-old outfielder hit .322 with five home runs, 14 stolen bases and 27 runs batted in over 67 games with New York, which lost to Detroit in the American League championship series. The Yankees reportedly have to content with interest in Suzuki from the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia. If the Yankees complete a deal for Suzuki, who has 2,606 hits since arriving from Japan in 2001, he could join Derek Jeter in reaching the 3,000 career hit plateau as a Yankee. Alex Rodriguez will enter the 2013 season only 99 hits from that mark, but the third baseman will miss the start of next season after hip surgery. — Agencies
