The back and forth between Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton and team general manager John Daniels that has played out in the media has me searching desperately for my thinking cap. I'm sure I left it around here somewhere. Anyway, Hamilton will be a free agent after this season, and Daniels would love to sign him to a new contract. However, it seems both men have been put into a position where this is no right thing to say. Hamilton says that he will not, and should not be expected to, give the Rangers a hometown discount in negotiations. (Since he is from Raleigh, North Carolina, that "hometown discount" for a team in Texas should be rather small anyway, but that's beside the point.) Daniels has said that Hamilton's choice of words bothered him, but he understood the point Hamilton was making when read in context. In a landscape where fans and media demand absolute answers instantly, what can either of these guys say? "No comment" or "Let's just see how things work out" are not generally viewed as acceptable.
Consider Hamilton. He could be a true free agent with the ability to negotiate with any and every team in the league. If he says the Rangers do not get a discount, then he seems greedy. Never mind that thousands of free agents have searched for and signed the biggest contracts they could find for years. Some have hinted that he is ungrateful to the Rangers. This conveniently ignores the fact that he has given all he has of his heart and his body to help them to consecutive World Series appearances. If he says the Rangers will be given preference, then he sabotages his negotiating position with every team in the league, including Texas. Teams might lower their offers trying to compete with the Rangers. Some teams might not even make him an offer if they assume he is headed back to Texas.
Consider Daniels. He can't outright ask for or demand a discount. That might insult Hamilton and ensure his departure. He also can't come forward and say that he doesn't want any preferential treatment in negotiations. What if Hamilton was considering a cheaper deal with Texas? The Rangers would lose that chance if they didn't at least consider the option that a hometown discount might come into play?
What can either man do?
I can think of only one similar situation in my life. I work in the office at an auto body shop. I process the paperwork on just about every vehicle and insurance claim that comes in to our shop. There are two types of weather that greatly affect our business. Hail and icy roads. Being in West Texas, hail is a much more frequent occurrence. (The icy roads are interesting however because they are so rare that many drivers in our area simply don't know how to react.) Now that we have moved from winter into the spring, the next few months are prime season for severe weather. A hail storm would damage vehicles all over town and greatly increase the business and income of our body shop. What do I do?
If I pray FOR a hail storm, I am greedy. My wife and I don't technically need more income. We have a plan and are trying to live on and live with what we already make, especially with a baby girl on the way.
If I pray AGAINST a hail storm, I feel lazy, like I'm just trying to avoid increased work and responsibility.
What do I do? There is no clear, right answer.
In my case, there is a tiebreaker, so to speak. A hail storm means a severe thunderstorm, which could also mean flooding, tornadoes, and lightning strikes. Given the prolonged drought, the lightning could be the worst event, once again sparking massive wildfires like those that destroyed much of our great state just one year ago. In my mind, the damage or destruction of other people's property and homes, or businesses and livelihood, is too great a risk. Lives can actually be affected, altered, or even ended in an instant during severe weather. I will gladly sacrifice whatever personal gain I may see in order to avoid that grim possibility. (I don't intend to imply that I actually believe that I somehow control or affect the weather. I don't. I am just much happier when there is no severe weather of any kind, even if it makes me seem lazy. Those who know me and my work know better anyway.)
I don't know what the tiebreaker may be for Hamilton or for Daniels. I do selfishly hope they find it and find a way to keep Josh in Texas for a long time.
How about you? What represents a hometown discount or a hail storm in your life? What do you do?
Scripture: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Quote: "No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking." - Francois-Marie Arouet de Voltaire
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