CLEVELAND – Fast free agent Billy Hamilton has agreed to a small league contract with the Cleveland Indians, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday night.
Hamilton, who spent last season with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs, will also receive an invitation to a major league training camp, the person said on condition of anonymity because the contract could not be finalized before medical tests is not completed.
The 30-year-old Hamilton will be added to an overcrowded outfield competition for the Indians, who have been trying to upgrade a problem area over the past few seasons.
Cleveland last week signed Eddie Rosario, a former Minnesota slave, to a $ 8 million one-year deal, but he appears to be the only player to secure a starting lineup. Earlier Thursday, the Indians and veteran Ben Gamel agreed to a minor league deal with a camp invitation.
Hamilton has a career-high .241 over eight seasons, and six with the Cincinnati Reds. He also played for Kansas City and Atlanta.
Hamilton would give the Indians some speed. From 2014 to 2017, he stole at least 56 bases for the Reds every season.