The Cincinnati Reds have gotten significant trade interest in center fielder Billy Hamilton according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
In discussing which teams could need a center fielder, Rosenthal mentioned that the Mets have liked the speedy outfielder in the past.
Hamilton, 27, hit only .247/.299/.335 with 17 doubles, 11 triples, four home runs and scored 85 runs for the Reds in 2017. The switch-hitter also swiped a carrer-high 59 bases and was caught 13 times. He also set a career-high with 133 strikeouts in 139 games.
Even Hamilton’s defensive valued slipped a little with 9 DRS in 2017, down from 15 DRS in in 2016. His fWAR was 1.2, the low point in his four full seasons in the majors.
Hamilton is projected to earn $5 million throuh arbitration this offseason according to MLB Trade Rumors and is under team control for two seasons.
The Mets already have a defensive minded center fielder on the roster in Juan Lagares whose slash line of .257/.297/.366 looks a lot like the .248/.298/.334 line for Hamilton in his career.
