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Report: Josh Hamilton Offered Three-Year Contract by Phillies

Consider the Phillies part of the hunt for Josh Hamilton.

Philadelphia has offered Hamilton a three-year deal, according to radio station WIP, as reported by CBS Philly.

While the report did not specify terms of the deal, it did cite a report speculating that Hamilton could be had for three years and around $80 million. That’s around what the Red Sox are said to be willing to give Hamilton.

Hamilton is the biggest prize of this offseason’s free-agent market, but the bidding for his services hasn’t been too fierce. While he burst onto the market reportedly hoping for somewhere in the range of seven years and $25 million a year, he’s had few offers of more than four years. Many teams are concerned about whether he can work under pressure after a history of substance abuse, and at 31, Hamilton’s ability to produce long-term is also in question.

Hamilton has had 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBIs in three of his last five seasons, including last year, when he batted .285 with 43 home runs and 128 RBIs.