It looks as if Josh Hamilton will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Texas Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan said he does not expect the team to agree to a new contract with Hamilton during the season. That would allow Hamilton, one of the game's best hitters, to hit the open market this winter.

"We haven't carried on the negotiations during the season because we don't feel like it's fair to Josh," said Ryan, who pointed out general manager Jon Daniels spoke briefly with Hamilton's agent during spring training. "And we don't want to do something that will be a distraction."

So far this season Hamilton leads the majors in home runs (18), RBIs (45) and slugging percentage (.826). He also leads the AL in batting average (.399) and is second in the AL in hits (55).

The Rangers do not typically negotiate new contracts during the season. However, second baseman Ian Kinsler signed a new contract during the first week of the season, only because talks were serious during the late stages of spring training.

Ryan said that he expects a decision to be made in late November or early December but could not predict what the Rangers' chances are of keeping Hamilton, who turns 31 on Monday.

"It's hard to predict what's going to happen with Josh," Ryan said, "Things will have to play out. I truly think he would like to stay in Arlington, the Metroplex and be a member of the Texas Rangers. I think he's very comfortable and his family is very comfortable. We are certainly in hopes that we'll able to work a deal out with him."

As for Hamilton, he says he is not worried about free agency and his focus is just on playing this year. "I wouldn't be worried about free agency [because] I'm going to concentrate on the Rangers and play baseball for this year and that's what I'm doing," he said. "I'm praying a lot about it; God will show up whether I'll be here or somewhere else. It's not about where I want to be -- it's where he wants me to be."