Josh Hamilton Free Agency Update: Rangers Star 'Loves It In Texas'

In the aftermath of Josh Hamilton's historic 4 HR night in Baltimore, his impending free agency has become one of the hottest topics in MLB.

What to do with Hamilton, the early front-runner for the AL MVP award, will be one of the toughest decisions facing the Rangers front-office going forward. While he has Hall of Fame talent, his well-chronicled off-field issues as well as injury history have to make the team leery of guaranteeing the $200 million plus payday his talents merit.

In an interview with ESPN's Buster Olney in Baltimore, Hamilton said he loved Texas, but stopped short of guaranteeing he would remain in Arlington long-term:

"I'm under contract with the Rangers for this season and that's the way I'm treating it," Hamilton said. "I'm getting paid to play baseball for the Rangers and I'm going to give them everything I've got and try to do the best I can for them. God gives me peace, man," Hamilton said. "I want to be where He wants me to be, and if that's Texas, I love it in Texas. I pray a lot."

There are no easy answers for the Rangers, especially not with Albert Pujols struggling so mightily after signing a mega-contract with the LA Angels this off-season.

For more news and notes on Hamilton and the Rangers, check out Lonestar Ball.