Baltimore Orioles Trade Target: Cincinnati Reds Billy Hamilton

Among the possible Baltimore Orioles trade targets, outfielder Billy Hamilton looks like one of the better matches. Will he spend 2018 in an Orioles’ uniform?

This offseason will be a little different for the Baltimore Orioles. It’s very doubtful they add any slugger to the roster. Instead, we can expect them to target pitchers and possibly a true leadoff hitter. The latter is where Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton could help them out.

Even before his MLB debut in 2013, one thing has been clear about Hamilton: he’s fast.

Hamilton has averaged 73 stolen bases per 162 games in his big league career. Although he has never led the league in the category, each season ends with one more than the previous. The fleet-footed switch-hitter swiped a career-best 59 last year while continuing to put up less impressive statistics at the plate. The inability to hit well has caused many to question whether he’s worth it in a trade.

Entering 2018, Hamilton will carry a .248/.298/.334 batting line. Unfortunately, getting on base is not something he does incredibly well. If he could, Hamilton might be an elite leadoff hitter and not someone the Reds regularly bat at the bottom of the lineup due to his offensive limitations. Speed is great at the top, but more important is getting on base.

Hamilton is almost void of power. Even playing half his games at Great American Ballpark has resulted in an average of five home runs per 162 games. It’s unlikely to change. He is what he is and no ballpark will change this.

After several seasons of lackluster at-bats, the Reds seem ready to trade Hamilton. Now that he is in his arbitration years, paying him to do one thing really well is tougher. At league minimum, it was okay for Hamilton to hit poorly, steal a ton of bases, and put up good defensive numbers.

In 2017, Hamilton was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in center field. Ender Inciarte ended up winning it, but Hamilton should remain proud nonetheless.