Reds OF Billy Hamilton, Brewers 2B Jonathan Schoop headline non-tendered players

Add speedster Billy Hamilton and former All-Star Jonathan Schoop to the free agent pool.

Friday was the non-tender deadline for teams to offer players on their 40-man rosters a contract for the 2019 season.

Hamilton and Schoop were among those non-tendered and became free agents. 

Hamilton, going through arbitration for the third time with the Cincinnati Reds, could have made $6 million to $7 million next season. 

"It's a little fresh right now," said Reds manager David Bell. "Obviously, Billy was a big part of this team for a lot of years. A lot of, as you guys know, tough decisions have to be made in this game. You never know. He becomes a free agent, but we move forward and try to fill that spot."

Hamilton, who made $4.6 million in 2017, had a .236 batting average and .299 on-base percentage last season, stealing a career-low 34 bases in 153 games.

He was a polarizing player among the fanbase, known for his speed and defense, and his struggles at the plate. Starting in center field for the last five years, Hamilton only had one season when he had an on-base percentage above .300. He was a Gold Glove finalist in center field during each of the past five years.

Source: Read Full Article