http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061207/SPT04/312070012/1062/SPT

Quote:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Reds pulled off one of the shockers at the Winter Meetings this morning when they traded for Josh Hamilton, the talented but troubled outfielder.

"It's worth the gamble," general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

The Reds worked out a trade with the Chicago Cubs for Hamilton after the Cubs selected him from Tampa Bay in the Rule 5 Draft.

"It was a prearranged deal," Krivsky said. "We did a lot of homework. We talked to ownership. Hopefully, this will work out."

Hamilton, 25, had spent two years on suspension as the result of drug problems.

He was the No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft and signed for $3.95 million. He was suspended in February 2004 for violating baseball's drug policy.

The outfielder didn't play from July 2002 until June this year because of injuries and unspecified personal issues.

He was cleared to play June 30 of this year and played at Single-A Hudson Valley.

Under the rules of the Rule 5 Draft, the Reds must keep Hamilton on the roster or offer him back to Tampa Bay for half the $50,000 fee it cost to select him.

"I'm excited," Hamilton said. "I wasn't expecting this after all I've been through the last two years. I don't think (Tampa Bay) thought anyone would take the chance on me."

Hamilton began having drug problems after being injured in a car accident in 2002. He is drug tested three times a week.

"No one ever said he was a bad kid," Krivksy said. "Obviously, he has his problems."

Hamilton is confident he can return to form on the field.

"Baseball has never been the problem," he said. "I know I have the ability. I'm excited. I know I'll do well."

Krivksy said Hamilton has been cleared by Major League Baseball to participate.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound outfielder was suspended March 19, 2004. He was allowed to return to baseball, but not play, this spring. He was cleared to play in June. But his season was cut short by knee surgery.

"I'm a drug addict," Hamilton told USA Today in March. "It's not terminal, but there is no cure. It's hell on earth. It's a constant struggle. And it's going to be like that for the rest of my life."

He told the paper he was addicted to crack.

"It got so bad at the end that I just started smoking (crack). I did it so much it was like smoking cigarettes," Hamilton said.

"I remember one time I woke up in a trailer with about five or six total strangers. It must have been 98 degrees in there. There was no air conditioning. Nothing. My truck was gone. I had no money. But I didn't care. I was just looking for that next high."




fire away animalman, i have no defense for this.