Josh Hamilton needs shoulder surgery, Billy Hamilton is working to get into the best shape of his life, and Yoan Moncada has officially become a free agent.
Josh Hamilton will miss six-to-eight weeks while recovering from surgery to repair the AC joint in his throwing shoulder. With that timetable, Hamilton is officially doubtful for Opening Day and it's likely that he'll need a reasonably lengthy minor league rehab assignment if he misses all of spring training.
In his absence, the Angels will likely move Matt Joyce into left field and open up DH at-bats for C.J. Cron to begin the year.
With a sub .750 in each of his first two seasons with the Halos, Hamilton's latest injury will only raise further questions about his ability to rebound in the home-run department once he's healthy enough to play.
Prior to the injury, Hamilton was available just outside the Top 200 overall in NFBC drafts. With the expected lost time in April, he may fall another 50-plus picks in the coming weeks.
Spring Noise?
As noted above, Billy Hamilton has taken extra steps this offseason to change his strength and conditioning regimen after fading in the second half last season.
1st Half - .285/.319/.423 (4.7 BB%, 18.1% K%) 38-for-53 SB, 359 PA
2nd Half - .200/.254/.257 (6.7 BB%, 20.6% K%) 18-for-26 SB, 252 PA
This winter, Hamilton has been time in Atlanta with Delino DeShields, who previously managed Hamilton in the lower levels of the minors.
Columns are overflowing with "best shape of my life" stories and quotes this time of year, but Hamilton is focusing on the finer points of maximizing his skill set. Check out the full story from Mark Sheldon of MLB.com and decide for yourself if there's reason to be optimistic about the speedy center fielder entering his second full season with the Reds.
Two important things have gone unchanged in Cincinnati this offseason.
1. There is still a noticeable lack of viable alternatives to play center field behind Hamilton.
2. The Reds have few high OBP options available to displace him as their leadoff hitter.
With an NFBC ADP of 45.64, are you buying in at the current price?
Yoan Moncada is a Free Agent
Finally, Moncada is free to sign with an MLB team. MLB made an adjustment to its policy and will now allow team to sign players with a general license from the United States Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control. Baseball America has more details regarding the change, which should help speed up the signing process for Andy Ibanez and Hector Olivera as well.
For dynasty league owners, Moncada may be one of the first minor leaguers selected this spring, as he's a switch-hitting third baseman with a ceiling that may exceed the other Cuban players that have come to MLB over this decade.
Given his age, there is a long list of teams lining up to obtain Moncada's services.