The Atlanta Braves have made their first free agent decision of the young offseason. The Braves signed R.A. Dickey to a one-year deal with an option for 2018. It is no secret that the Braves are looking for starting pitchers for next season. That was Atlanta’s number one need this offseason. Dickey is a step in the right direction, but expect the Braves to pursue other high-profile free agents.
Atlanta Braves Sign R.A. Dickey
Early Career
Dickey struggled mightily early in his career. He posted a 5.72 ERA over his first five seasons while pitching for the Texas Rangers. Dickey posted consecutive sub-par seasons with the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins before landing with the New York Mets prior to 2010.
New York Mets
The knuckleballer had a breakthrough season in his first year with the Mets. He established career-high numbers in starts, innings pitched, wins, ERA, and strikeouts while pitching in his age-35 season. He would go on to win the National League Cy Young Award in 2012 at the age of 37. Dickey posted a phenomenal season in which he led the NL in starts (33), innings pitched (233.2), complete games (five), shutouts (three), and strikeouts (230). He also finished the year second in wins (20) and ERA (2.73). Dickey was far and away the most effective pitcher in the NL for 2012. For his time with the Mets, Dickey posted a record of 39-28 with a 2.95 ERA and 468 strikeouts in three seasons.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Dickey prior to the 2013 season in a deal that included prospects Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard. Dickey posted four effective seasons for the Blue Jays, but he was never quite the pitcher Toronto was hoping he would be. He made at least 29 starts each season, but never posted an ERA below 3.71. Dickey accumulated a record of 49-52 with a 4.05 ERA over 130 starts in four seasons for Toronto. He racked up 602 strikeouts with the Jays, but never eclipsed 180 in a single season.
Outlook
The Braves certainly needed depth to their pitching staff, and Dickey will bring a veteran presence to a young rotation. Dickey will be 42 for 2017, but age is less of an issue than with most pitchers. Fellow knuckleball pitchers Tim Wakefield and Braves legend Phil Niekro pitched full seasons at ages 44 and 48, respectively. Dickey will be able to eat innings and add depth at the back end of a young, talented rotation for Atlanta.
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