Cincinnati Reds FanSided Winter Meetings Simulation Trade #2 – Billy Hamilton

In a case where life imitates a simulation and the simulation imitates life, the second move for the Cincinnati Reds in the FanSided Winter Meetings Simulation was trading center fielder Billy Hamilton.

After last year’s off-season that saw the Cincinnati Reds nearly trade Billy Hamilton to the Texas Rangers, there is little doubt that he is on the block this off-season.  For the simulation talks began with the San Francisco Giants.  There was also an initial discussion with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Rangers based on last off-season’s interest.

None of these three teams were a good fit.  Hamilton doesn’t really match the team’s needs in Texas.  The Dodgers and Giants didn’t really have the young prospects that the Reds wanted to get back.

This is one of those cases where a conversation about one player leads to a conversation about another.  It was actually an attempt to move catcher Devin Mesoraco that netted the Hamilton deal.  We contacted every team looking for a catcher about Mesoraco.

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Prior to finding a team to deal with the Washington Nationals were in the mix.  Again, though, they didn’t want to offer any young prospects.  In the end it was the World Series Champion Houston Astros that made the move for Hamilton.

The Cincinnati Reds trade center fielder Billy Hamilton to the Houston Astros for left-handed pitching prospects Cionel Perez and Brett Adcock at the FanSided Winter Meetings Simulation.

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Cionel Perez is a starting pitching prospect from Cuba.  The 21-year old will likely start 2018 in Double-A.  With an expected MLB debut in 2019, Perez has closer stuff if starting doesn’t pan out.

Brett Adcock is among the best pitching prospects from the University of Michigan.  He is also a starting pitcher, but won’t be ready until 2020.  He needs to build up more stamina, but could end up in the bullpen.

This seems like a haul.  Two starting pitching prospects for a center fielder that can’t get on base.

Hamilton is one of the best base runners in the games.

The Astros get a defensive replacement for late in games and a fourth outfielder.  Hamilton has a chance to be something special in this scenario.  Meanwhile, Mesoraco isn’t going to the Astros.

Next: The first trade in the FanSided Winter Meetings Simulation

With Hamilton off to the Astros, Mesoraco becomes the top priority.  Having moved two players for four prospects and a number five starter so far is a great start.  Here’s to finishing the simulation strong.