Report: Angels discussed trading Josh Hamilton with Rangers, Padres

Josh Hamilton has stumbled through two disappointing seasons since signing a five-year, $125-million deal with the Los Angeles Angels in December of 2012, and the club has reportedly explored the possibility of unloading the 33-year-old this winter.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Angels engaged in exploratory trade talks with both the Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres this offseason. The discussions didn't gain much traction, however, and the Angels never broached Hamilton about waiving his no-trade clause.

Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto recently affirmed his faith in Hamilton, but Tuesday's acquisition of Matt Joyce from the Tampa Bay Rays suggests he wasn't completely content with his club's outfield production last season.

"We do believe in Josh," Dipoto said. "We've seen it every day when he takes batting practice. We've seen him hit balls that humans shouldn't hit. What he does, 99 percent of the players can't do.

"We are absolutely of the belief that the ability is there for him to do the things that he has done in the past. Now we have to help him turn the key to bring the ability out."

Hamilton, though, is owed $83 million over the next three years and shares plenty of history with at least one of the clubs the Angels have approached this winter. The Rangers acquired Hamilton prior to the 2008 campaign, and the former first-overall pick proceeded to revive his career in Texas, earning five All-Star berths and an MVP award in five years with the club.

The Padres, meanwhile, remain eager to add impact talent under the direction of newly hired general manager A.J. Preller. A trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers brought Matt Kemp to San Diego last week, and the club remains in talks with the Rays about outfielder Wil Myers.