According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Boston Red Sox are in the market for a shortstop at the trade deadline.
The Red Sox traded David Hamilton to the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason, and he is capable of playing shortstop. The team reportedly called the Houston Astros about Jeremy Peña and was shut down. Willy Adames, Zach Neto and CJ Abrams are other options at shortstop, but all three figure to be extremely expensive.
Meanwhile, Hamilton has turned into a more complete player with the Brewers, has suddenly become expendable and would cost the Red Sox very little. Adding Hamilton as opposed to a star shortstop would also allow the Red Sox to give Trevor Story a chance to prove he can still be the player he was last year if he returns. If the Red Sox add a superstar at shortstop, they would have to either bench Story or change his position.
Hamilton has spent most of his time at third base this year, but he is capable of playing good defense at shortstop as well. He has made 29 appearances at shortstop this season for the Brewers. He is hitting .237 with a .312 on-base percentage. It is not great, but much better than last year with the Red Sox. He also has three homers and 19 stolen bases.
The Brewers have also unlocked his bunting ability. After recording just five bunt hits in three seasons with the Red Sox, Hamilton has 10 bunt hits with the Brewers. He also has ten sacrifice bunts. He is tied for first in both categories, despite missing a chunk of the season with a hamstring injury.
Hamilton has been a key player for the Brewers, but they don't need him anymore. Cooper Pratt has been called up and is the everyday shortstop now. He is hitting well and does not figure to lose his spot. At third base, Hamilton and Joey Ortiz were set to share time until Hamilton's injury. However, Ortiz has flipped a switch and is hitting .353 with a 1.117 OPS since Hamilton went to the injured list.
The Brewers are always trying to thread the needle, so they may be open to trading Hamilton even though they are set up to be buyers.
Hamilton would make sense for the Red Sox if they want depth at shortstop. He has shown he can be a valuable everyday player for the Brewers, and a return to Boston could yield better results. He would be cheap and a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.