Angels' Hamilton: 'The last couple years have not been me at all'

Despite stumbling through his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels since signing a five-year, $125-million deal in December of 2012, veteran outfielder Josh Hamilton continues to maintain a positive outlook as a new season approaches.

"The last couple years have not been me at all," Hamilton told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. "I'm always looking to improve, looking to do more than I've done. I can’t focus on the last two years. You have to be positive."

After a well-documented battle with substance abuse, Hamilton emerged as one of the game's most compelling players during a brilliant stint with the Texas Rangers that lasted from 2008 to 2012. The 1999 draft's first overall pick compiled a robust .305/.363/.549 line (137 OPS+) during his tenure in Texas, averaging 4.4 wins above replacement per season over that span.

Hamilton, however, hasn't resembled his former self during his first two seasons in Los Angeles. The 33-year-old managed a career-worst .739 OPS over 151 games in his inaugural season with the Angels, and spent nearly half of 2014 on the disabled list after undergoing thumb surgery in April.