The Boston Red Sox traded David Hamilton to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of the deal to acquire Caleb Durbin.
Durbin ended up having a great year and projects as a long-term option at third base for the Red Sox. However, they gave up a ton to get him in a package that also included Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler. The Red Sox gave up Hamilton, Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan. Drohan started Game 4 of the National League Championship Series as an opener, but Hamilton has ended up playing a huge role for the Brewers in the postseason.
Against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, he made one start and came in as a pinch hitter in one game. He made a couple of dazzling plays at third base, but went 1-for-4 at the plate. However, Pat Murphy stuck by him, and he got two more starts in the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had his fingerprints all over the sweep.
He went 4-for-7 with a walk in the NLCS. He had a home run in Game 4 to give the Brewers a huge insurance run. He also had an RBI single amid the Brewers' comeback win in that game. However, his biggest impact came on the bases.
He scored five runs and stole three bases in the two games he started. He led all of baseball in bunt hits this year, and he fits the Brewers' formula very well. He constantly kept pressure on the Dodgers' pitchers with his legs, and should have a big role in the World Series.
For most of the year, it was Harrison who looked like the biggest piece for the Brewers in the Durbin trade. However, Harrison went from pitching like an All-Star in the first half to losing his spot in the rotation after his forearm injury. Now, it's Hamilton who's making the biggest impact.