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MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Reds should make

By Nicholas Ian Allen

ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 21: Zack Cozart #2 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with Billy Hamilton #6 of the Cincinnati Reds after scoring in the top of the top pf the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 21, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 21: Zack Cozart #2 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with Billy Hamilton #6 of the Cincinnati Reds after scoring in the top of the top pf the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 21, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 07: Billy Hamilton #6 of the Cincinnati Reds steals third base against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning at Nationals Park on July 7, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 07: Billy Hamilton #6 of the Cincinnati Reds steals third base against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning at Nationals Park on July 7, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Trade Billy Hamilton to the Dodgers

The Dodgers finished the first half of the season with the best record in baseball, and overcame a slow start and two top challengers to build an impressive 7.5-game lead in the NL West prior to the All-Star break. Thanks to the best pitching staff in baseball and a strong defense, the Dodgers have allowed the fewest runs in the majors, and when aired with a potent offense, Los Angeles leads the big leagues with a plus-163 run differential.

Simply put, the Dodgers don’t have any weak spots. The team also has a strong farm system, meaning reinforcements are available in case any problems occur in the second half. But, despite those facts, the Dodgers may choose to make a move at the trade deadline – especially if there is a difference-maker available that could spark the first World Series title win in nearly 30 years.

Billy Hamilton could be that difference maker. While Joc Pederson is a talented center fielder, he has been limited to 59 games this season, has a 27.5 percent strikeout rate and has been a below average defender this season. And though he stole 20 or more bases in four straight minor league seasons from 2011-14, Pederson has just 11 stolen bases in 23 attempts across four big league seasons.

Hamilton, on the other hand, has a major league leading 38 stolen bases in 43 attempts this season, and plays Gold Glove caliber defense thanks in part to the simple fact he is the fastest player in baseball, according to Statcast’s new Sprint Speed metric. We knew Hamilton was the fastest player in the game – but we now have scientific proof.

Hamilton isn’t yet an ideal leadoff hitter at the plate – he’s hitting .242/.296/.321 with 80 strikeouts in 373 plate appearances – but he would be a dangerous player in the Dodgers lineup, and his elite speed could play huge dividends in the run to the World Series. He also won’t be a free agent until 2020. As such, Los Angeles would probably send a talented group of prospects to the Reds in return.

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