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Speedster Billy Hamilton signs with Chicago Cubs

Tyler KoerthBy 2 Mins Read
Chicago Cubs, Billy Hamilton, Cubs News
MLB: Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox

Speedster Billy Hamilton, who stole 230 bases between the years 2014-2017 with the Cincinnati Reds, has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, per their transaction page. The date he signed is listed as August 31, meaning he is playoff eligible if needed.

Billy Hamilton last appeared in MLB in 2023

The Cubs’ decision to sign Billy Hamilton is certainly an unexpected one. While his elite speed once made him one of the most electrifying base runners in baseball, Hamilton hasn’t played in the majors since 2022 and has just one big league hit since 2021. His addition—on the final day for postseason eligibility—suggests the Cubs may see him as a potential pinch-running specialist for October. Still, in an era where roster spots are highly competitive, adding a 33-year-old speed-first player who hasn’t had regular playing time in years raises eyebrows. Whether this is a strategic move or simply organizational depth remains to be seen, but it’s an odd late-season gamble for a team chasing a playoff berth.
MLB: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates

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Now age 34, Hamilton was last affiliated with a MLB team in 2023 when he made three appearances with the Chicago White Sox and stuck around in their minor league organization for a while. Since, he’s been playing out of the country, continuing to cause chaos on the bases.

Billy Hamilton has been in the Chicago Cubs organization before

The Cubs’ decision to sign Billy Hamilton is certainly an unexpected one. While his elite speed once made him one of the most electrifying base runners in baseball, Hamilton hasn’t played in the majors since 2022 and has just one big league hit since 2021. His addition—on the final day for postseason eligibility—suggests the Cubs may see him as a potential pinch-running specialist for October. Still, in an era where roster spots are highly competitive, adding a 33-year-old speed-first player who hasn’t had regular playing time in years raises eyebrows. Whether this is a strategic move or simply organizational depth remains to be seen, but it’s an odd late-season gamble for a team chasing a playoff berth.
MLB: Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox

Back in 2020, Hamilton was a member of the Cubs for 14 games.  He now rejoins the organization five years later and is unlikely to contribute at the big league level. Even with Kyle Tucker banged up, Chicago still has Kevin Alcantara, Owen Caissie, and Willi Castro all as back up options to Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki.

The Cubs’ decision to Billy Hamilton is certainly an unexpected one. While his elite speed once made him one of the most electrifying base runners in baseball, he hasn’t played in the majors since 2023. If anything, he could be a pinch-running specialist, but even then plugging in someone like Alcantara or Caissie would be preferred.

Whether this is a strategic move or simply organizational depth remains to be seen, but it’s an odd late-season gamble for a team chasing a playoff berth.

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