After losing the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, the New York Yankees are in full-go mode at this season's trade deadline. They're seemingly willing to do.... anything if it will make their team even the slightest bit better.
According to New York Post insider Joel Sherman, the Yankees have their eye on a few trade candidates to add depth to their infield, including Boston Red Sox shortstop/second baseman David Hamilton (subscription required). Yes, you read that right.
Red Sox fans have wondered why Hamilton was on the roster for quite some time in the past few seasons. When he was summoned to the big leagues to play shortstop in Trevor Story's stead last year, his defense was horrendous, and he quickly racked up 10 errors between second base and shortstop. This season, his defense has improved, but his offense has regressed severely. Hamilton batted .179/.229/.276 with a 40 OPS+ in 63 games with the Red Sox before he was demoted to Triple-A on July 11.
The left side of New York's infield has been quite unstable this season. Anthony Vople has struggled defensively and utility infielder Oswaldo Cabrera suffered a season-ending injury in mid-May. It's hard to foresee Hamilton making the Yankees better, but he has a few qualities they could use in their lineup.
Yankees potentially interested in Red Sox infielder David Hamilton before trade deadline
BRAND NEW BALLGAME
— Worcester Red Sox (@WooSox) July 19, 2025
thank you hammy 🥰 pic.twitter.com/hNeOaC62B4
Hamilton's best attribute is his speed, and New York could use a boost on the base paths. Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Dominguez are its only hope for speed on the bases, and with Aaron Judge out of the lineup with an injury, it'll need to play some small ball. Hamilton, on June 17, 2024, posted an incredible performance against the Yankees and stole four bases in the same game. Clearly, he left an impression.
The Red Sox and Yankees have grown more comfortable trading with each other in recent seasons, and Boston has largely emerged as the winner. The Sox last offseason sent Alex Verdugo to New York in exchange for Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts and another pitching prospect, and former Yankee Carlos Narváez has grown into one of the best catchers in MLB as a rookie.
If the Yankees want Hamilton, the Red Sox should be more than willing to send him their way. Such a trade would free up a 40-man roster spot, lessen Boston's middle infield logjam, and lower the Yankees' team slash line in one fell swoop.