On Josh Hamilton and the Los Angeles Dodgers

So a group led by Magic Johnson has agreed to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers for an amount north of $2 billion.

New ownership groups, particularly those who buy big market teams, usually like to make a big splash in free agency to show they are serious about contending, energize the fans, etc. Is this group going to do this?

"I wish we had the team already, I would have been at Albert Pujols' house at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of free agency," Johnson said with a laugh. "I can't wait."

Josh Hamilton is the biggest name free agent this offseason, and is arguably the best player on the free agent market, depending on how you think he compares to Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, and Zack Greinke.

The Dodgers' outfield currently consists of Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and a black hole. Ethier is a free agent after the season. Hamilton is one of the most marketable and popular players in the game right now. And the Dodgers will have money to spend.

You think Magic might be at Hamilton's house at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of free agency this year? You think new ownership might be willing to offer the type of "Jayson Werth contract" -- 7 years, $126 million -- that Hamilton is supposed saying is a starting point on a new deal, and that the Rangers aren't going to come close to matching?

And for those who think Hamilton doesn't care about the money, that he'll take significant less to stay here because he loves Texas...you're deluding yourself.

Hamilton, like every player, is most likely going to take the biggest deal. He's made it clear he feels he has an obligation to the union and the players coming after him, that the more money he makes in this deal, the more he can spend on charitable works and doing good.

And I think the Rangers know he's gone after the season. I think they'll handle him the way that they handled C.J. Wilson, telling him, if you want to come back on our terms, we're happy to talk. If you want the biggest contract, good luck with your future endeavors.

I'd put the chances of Hamilton returning in 2013 at about 15%, and its only that high because I think that's the likelihood he has a season that is so bad no team is willing to moneywhip him, and thus he returns to Texas on a short-term deal.

Most likely, this is Josh Hamilton's last season in Texas. I expect next year at this time, he'll be wearing Dodger blue.