CLEVELAND – Free agent Billy Hamilton has agreed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians, a person familiar with the deal said Thursday night.
Hamilton, who spent last season with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs, will also receive an invitation to the major league training camp, the person said on condition of anonymity, as the contract cannot be completed until medical tests are completed. .
Hamilton, 30, will be added to a crowded competition for Indians, who are trying to improve a troubled area in recent seasons.
Cleveland signed former Minnesota slugger Eddie Rosario last week for a $ 8 million one-year contract, but he appears to be the only player guaranteed a starting spot. Earlier on Thursday, Indians and veteran Ben Gamel agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to camp.
Hamilton has a .241 career in the last eight seasons, six with the Cincinnati Reds. He also played for Kansas City and Atlanta.
Hamilton would bring the Indians a certain speed. He stole at least 56 bases for tomatoes each season from 2014 to 2017.