Braves Claim Billy Hamilton Off Waivers From the Royals

Well, it didn't take long for a contending club to claim speedster Billy Hamilton from the Royals. Kansas City designated the 28-year-old for assignment last week, and now he's found a new home.

With Nick Markakis, Ender Inciarte, and Austin Riley all presently on the 10-day IL, the Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they've claimed the vet outfielder off waivers.

Simply put, the Braves were desperate for outfield depth and pounced on the opportunity to acquire one of the game's most imposing trackers. Given their esteemed lineup depth, we presume that B-Ham will primarily be utilized as a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch runner.

Adam Duvall and Matt Joyce can do some noble work with the bat in their hands, but Atlanta fans will be the first to tell you how suspect they are with their gloves.

Hamilton will give manager Brian Snitker a dynamic speedster off the bench that his club didn't previously flaunt as Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies were his only two threats on the base path before today.

What makes the signing by general manager Alex Anthopoulos all the more valuable is that it deprives the Dodgers and Cubs -- two NL contenders in the bottom half of league in terms of stolen bases -- of acquiring a viable asset.

What a get by Atlanta.