The Atlanta Braves continue to be one of the most active teams in Major League Baseball this offseason in terms of making free agent signings. Atlanta has signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and reliever Robert Suarez to lucrative contracts, and is also bringing back closer Raisel Iglesias and Ha-Seong Kim on one-year deals.
On Friday, the Braves announced they have made another signing for a relief pitcher who has pitched with the White Sox, Twins, and, most recently, the New York Yankees. One of Atlanta’s biggest needs this offseason included help to its pitching staff, as 2025 was a disaster with a lack of quality arms.
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Braves Sign Former Yankees Reliever Ian Hamilton to Contract
The Braves announced the signing of reliever Ian Hamilton on Friday. It is a one-year deal with a non-guaranteed contract, but Hamilton was added to the Braves’ 40-man roster after Atlanta waived Anthony Molina.
Hamilton became a free agent last month when he was non-tendered by the New York Yankees after a poor 2025 campaign. He had a projected arbitration salary, but it wasn’t much more than league minimum, so the Yankees decided to cut ties. Hamilton spent the final two months of the 2025 season with the Yankees’ AAA affiliate.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 18: Ian Hamilton #71 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 18, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
He has made 36 appearances before the demotion, but posted a 4.28 ERA in 40 innings. Hamilton came up with the Chicago White Sox back in 2018, but did not see real MLB innings until 2023. From 2018-2022, Hamilton pitched just 14.2 innings and missed all of the 2019 and 2021 seasons.
However, 2023 was his best season as a pro by a long shot. With the Yankees that season, he posted a 2.64 ERA over 58 innings and recorded 69 punchouts.
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What Will Ian Hamilton’s Role be With Atlanta?
It’s unclear at this point what Hamilton’s role will be with the Atlanta Braves in 2026. The likely outcome is that he will have a chance to prove himself in Spring Training, but he ran out of options in 2025 with the Yankees, so if he doesn’t break camp with Atlanta, the Braves will either have to trade him or outright release him on waivers.
Over 150.1 career innings, Hamilton has a 3.59 ERA and 161 strikeouts.
Because of his MLB service time, he could decline a demotion if that’s what the Braves choose to do with him, and that would send him to free agency once again.
The issue with Hamilton over recent seasons is his walk rate. He walked 22 batters over 40 innings in 2025 (5.0 BB/9).
According to BaseballReference’s 2026 projection, Hamilton is predicted to pitch in 50 innings next season and post a 3.96 ERA.
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