The Los Angeles Angels and Josh Hamilton are talking in an effort to resolve their messy dispute.
What happens next is unclear, although FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports it's possible that Hamilton could be traded or bought out. A buyout, Rosenthal adds, likely wouldn't be supported by the union, which isn't fond of players devaluing their contracts and leaving money on the table.
Examples do exist, however, of players accepting less money in a negotiation to break out of a contract after violating a personal conduct clause - as the Angels insist Hamilton did with his self-admitted drug relapse. Rosenthal notes pitchers Sidney Ponson and Denny Neagle as two such players who agreed to settlements for less than the full value of their deals.
The 2010 American League MVP, recovering from February shoulder surgery, is owed $83 million over the next three seasons.
Hamilton, who has a long history of substance abuse, admitted to taking drugs this offseason to Major League Baseball, but avoided suspension after an arbitrator found he wasn't in violation of his treatment program.
Angels owner Arte Moreno is adamant that language and provisions in Hamilton's contract prohibit the five-time All-Star from using alcohol and drugs.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia recently met with Hamilton and was concerned that the talented yet troubled outfielder is not getting proper help. Hamilton's teammate C.J. Wilson, among others, was more encouraged by the meeting this week.
Hamilton left the Texas Rangers as a free agent after the 2012 season to sign a five-year, $125-million deal with the Angels.