❚ Billy Hamilton leads crop of latest free agents,
Add speedster Billy Hamilton and former All-Star Jonathan Schoop to the free agent pool.
Last week marked the nontender deadline for teams to offer players on their 40-man rosters a contract for 2019.
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.
“Obviously, Billy was a big part of this team for a lot of years,” said Reds manager David Bell. “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.”
The 28-year-old 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 fan base, known for his speed and defense and struggles at the plate. Starting in center for the last five years, Hamilton had only one season when he had an on-base percentage above .300. He was a Gold Glove finalist in center during each of the past five years.
Meanwhile, Brewers GM David Stearns was blunt in assessing his trade for Schoop with two months remaining in the 2018 season.
“Look, I view it as a bad deal, and that’s on me,” Stearns said in a call with reporters.
Unwilling to gamble $10 million by going to salary arbitration with Schoop, Stearns decided not to offer a contract for 2019, making him a free agent.
Schoop, 27, was expected to be the Brewers’ primary second baseman for the final two months of the 2018 season as well as 2019 when he was acquired on July 31 from Baltimore in a trade, but he flopped badly.
In 46 games, Schoop compiled a .577 OPS with four home runs and 21 RBI, with 41 strikeouts in 124 at-bats.
Other notable players who were non-tendered Friday.
American League
❚ RHP Blake Parker, Angels
❚ RHP Matt Shoemaker, Angels
❚ RHP Mike Fiers, Athletics
❚ RHP Kendall Graveman, Athletics
❚ IF Yangervis Solarte, Blue
Jays
❚ C James McCann, Tigers
❚ RHP Alex Wilson, Tigers
❚ IF Tim Beckham, Orioles
❚ C Caleb Joseph, Orioles
❚ 1B C.J. Cron, Rays
❚ RHP Matt Bush, Rangers
❚ OF Bubba Starling, Royals
❚ OF Robbie Grossman, Twins
❚ OF Avisail Garcia, White Sox
❚ 1B-DH Matt Davidson, White Sox
National League
❚ 2B Jonathan Schoop, Brewers
❚ LHP Dan Jennings, Brewers
❚ LHP Xavier Cedeno, Brewers
❚ IF Ronald Torryes, Cubs
❚ RHP Shelby Miller, Diamondbacks
❚ RHP Brad Boxberger, Diamondbacks
❚ IF-OF Chris Owings, Diamondbacks
❚ RHP Hunter Strickland, Giants
❚ LHP Luis Avilan, Phillies
❚ 1B Justin Bour, Phillies
❚ IF Wilmer Flores, Mets OF Billy Hamilton, Reds