5 centerfielders the Philadelphia Phillies could trade for

5 center fielders the Philadelphia Phillies could trade for

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 3: A trainer looks at Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies after he was tagged out during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 3, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

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3. Billy Hamilton, Kansas City Royals

The Royals seem to be pushing into sell-mode right now, with everyone this side of Aldaberto Mondesi and Hunter Dozier deemed likely to be available. Working on a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2020, Billy Hamilton clearly stands as a trade candidate.

Hamilton is a speedster (four seasons with at least 56 stolen bases for the Cincinnati Reds from 2014-2017, 11 steals so far this season), and he plays above-average defense with occasional highlight-reel plays.

If Hamilton could hit at all (.223 this year, .244 for his career), or at least take walks more regularly (.297 OBP this year, .298 for his career), he would a dangerous offensive player in a fairly narrow speed-driven niche. But as it is, he’s got something to offer.

The Phillies could put Hamilton eighth in the batting order (or even ninth if manager Gabe Kapler wants to go that route, surely with analytical backing based on matchups), and hope he hits above his weight while saving hits and runs defensively in center field. More importantly, it shouldn’t take a lot to get him in a trade from Kansas City.

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