Cincinnati Reds non-tender Billy Hamilton, who becomes free agent

Billy Hamilton’s tenure in Cincinnati appears to be over.

The Reds did not tender a contract to the speedy center fielder, making him a free agent, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.

The Reds explored trading Hamilton but found no suitors, Sheldon reports.

Breaking news: According to a source, #reds will non-tender CF Billy Hamilton.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) November 30, 2018

Hamilton will become a free agent. According to a source, #reds explored trading him and found no interested teams.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) November 30, 2018

Hamilton, 28, struggled last season, hitting .236 with 34 stolen bases and a .299 on-base percentage. In five-plus seasons with the Reds, the defensive stalwart hit .245 with 277 stolen bases and a .298 on-base percentage.

In 2014, Hamilton was the runner-up to Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

Players on the 40-man roster with fewer than six years of Major League service time must be offered contracts by a set deadline — typically early December — or are released to free agency.