San Francisco Giants: If Ramos is the asking price, Hamilton should be avoided

The San Francisco Giants need a centerfielder, specifically someone to help improve their defense. The Reds are sick of Billy Hamilton not getting on base enough and are ready to sacrifice their CF defense and ship him out. It’s a logical match, one that both teams are exploring. But the asking price is making it worthless.

The San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds have been playing footsies with each other over Billy Hamilton. The Reds are asking for the world for a guy who can play great defense and steal a lot of bases, but can’t get on base often enough to make a true impact. RED FLAG!

The Giants already have a very shallow farm system. Sure there is solid talent, but giving up Arroyo already burdened the top end of the system. According to Jon Heyman’s most recent report on the trade discussions, the mandate for the inclusion of Heliot Ramos that is being put out there by the Reds is holding up the Giants.

Good for Bobby and Sabes. Have a spine.

More from Around the Foghorn

• SF Giants: Reliever Reyes Moronta clears outright waivers
• SF Giants sign veteran 1B John Nogowski to minor league deal
• SF Giants call on veteran LHP Scott Kazmir for big start against Padres
• SF Giants: Update on Alex Dickerson’s rehab assignment
• Atlanta claims SF Giants C Chadwick Tromp off waivers

Look. Hamilton’s defense is what shoots his WAR up. And while WAR is a decent stat, so is OPS, and Billy’s is absolute trash. I don’t care how good of defense he plays, or how fast he is, he can’t hit the ball worth beans and doesn’t draw enough walks.

Someone who is going into their fourth season of the same ol’ thing is likely not going to change. If the asking price was low, cool. I’m 100% ok with giving up Joan Gregorio for Billy Hamilton. But HELIOT RAMOS?! Dick Williams sure has some moxie to even think that would be a legitimate trade.

Heliot Ramos is the Giants’ version of a Yasiel Puig (without the headcase…at least as far as we know). He’s fast, plays great defense, and can hit.

He’s the closest thing the Giants farm system has seen to a five tool prospect since…well…never. But beside the point, the Giants haven’t been this excited about a prospect since Christian Arroyo, and even then the excitement about Ramos based on his ceiling far exceeds Arroyo.

Next: It's a slow offseason for the Giants

Natually, teams want him in a trade. Losing Heliot Ramos in a trade for Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton would’ve been reasonable. FOR BILLY FREAKING HAMILTON? Give me a break Dick Williams. The Giants should avoid trading away Heliot Ramos for anyone less than a “division shifter.” Yes, someone who automatically shifts the power in the division to the Bay Area. Hamilton doesn’t do that. So if that’s the Reds’ asking price, then the Giants need to move on to other candidates.