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The Los Angeles Angels might be on the verge of signing free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton, according to Joe McDonnell of Fox Sports. McDonnell says a source has informed him that the Angels are in "serious negotiations" with the 31-year-old slugger.
On Wednesday, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto told MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez:
"I don't feel like anything else is imminent, I don't feel like anything else is pressing and I don't think anything else is required."
Thursday morning, ESPN's Buster Olney echoed McDonnell's report.
Source: Angels positioning themselves for a big strike in the market. Hamilton? We'll see.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 13, 2012
Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports confirmed the Angels' interest in Hamilton.
Confirming @joeontheradio report, industry source says Angels are indeed getting close on a deal with Hamilton. Not quite done.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) December 13, 2012
Signing Hamilton could open up the possibility of trading outfielder/first baseman Mark Trumbo to help strengthen a Halos starting rotation that still has some holes after adding Tommy Hanson and free agent right-hander Joe Blanton. It is also possible that the Angels could be looking to drive up the price of Hamilton for the other AL West teams who have been rumored to be interested in him -- the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.