Baltimore Orioles Trade Target: Cincinnati Reds Billy Hamilton

How Hamilton Fits with the Orioles

Hamilton would fit in well with the Orioles because of his speed. Baltimore consistently ranks at the bottom of the league in stolen bases. With Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo relying on home runs to put up crooked numbers, there hasn’t been much room for a player like Hamilton.

An opportunity will open up next year with at least one of the corner outfield spots available. Although, Hamilton is likely to remain in center field with Adam Jones shifting to a corner spot.

Last season, Manny Machado led the Orioles in stolen bases with nine of them. Joey Rickard, who only received 277 plate appearances, ranked number two with eight.

The Baltimore Orioles aren’t built to run or take the extra bag. This is a very slow team that could really use one guy to carry the load.

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The beauty of the American League is that Hamilton doesn’t even need to bat leadoff in order to help the Orioles in this department. Batting him ninth would put him in a pseudo leadoff position. His speed could still help out the middle of the order while still limiting his at-bats.

Baltimore needs to start envisioning what life beyond 2018 will look like. Jones and Machado are both free agents after next season. Hamilton could help aim them in a different direction where they are not completely relying on four-base hits to get them through the season.

In addition to giving the Baltimore Orioles some wheels, Hamilton’s switch-hitting abilities gives them another left-handed option when righties are on the mound. The 2017 starting lineups were filled with mostly righties, which surely hurt them at times.

His ability to play Gold Glove-caliber defense also takes away the burden from the less effective corner outfielders the Orioles will employ next year.

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Hamilton rounds out the Baltimore Orioles very well. Rather than make a big signing for a new outfielder, that money can go toward finally putting together a good starting rotation. Hamilton won’t cost a king’s ransom and should thrive in Baltimore.