Cleveland looking to trade OF Billy Hamilton

Speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton spent time with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and hoped to find a home with the Cleveland Indians this spring.

However, Cleveland has informed the 30-year-old he won't be making the big-league club and is now trying to trade him to an interested team. 

"We just felt, out of respect to Billy, because of being the veteran he is and being the really good veteran that he is, we didn't think it was right to ask him to get on a bus and back up guys if we knew he wasn't gonna be on the team," Cleveland manager Terry Francona told reporters on Thursday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "He was a pro's pro. He's such a good kid and we'll certainly attempt to help him land somewhere. That's why we did it this quickly."

As a member of the Cincinnati Reds, Hamilton stole at least 56 bases each season from 2014-2017. Per Baseball-Reference, he hit .125 with one home run and two RBI with six stolen bases in 32 at-bats last year. 

He is tied for second among active players with 305 career stolen bases.