Veteran pitcher R.A. Dickey signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.
The team announced the move and added there is also a club option for the 2018 season.
Dickey, 42, went 10-15 with a 4.46 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 126 strikeouts in 169.2 innings pitched and 29 total starts for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016. While he has never rediscovered his dominant form from the 2012 season, when he went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 230 strikeouts in 33 starts with the New York Mets, he was a valuable innings eater at the back of Toronto's rotation in 2016.
The Blue Jays ultimately moved the knuckleballer to the bullpen late in September, though, and he didn't make the team's postseason roster.
For the Braves, he'll provide an experienced, veteran presence who is still capable of having quality innings as a fourth or fifth starter.
Dickey's signing isn't a major splash, but he figures to be beneficial to an otherwise young team.
The Braves have some major question marks in their starting rotation behind ace Julio Teheran, but Dickey should be able to find his niche and aid in the development of younger pitchers such as Matt Wisler (24), Aaron Blair (24), Mike Foltynewicz (25) and other arms who come up from the minors over the course of the season.
Dickey is familiar with the NL East from his three-year stint with the Mets, and that familiarity should help him have some success in Atlanta.
The Braves' rebuilding project is making strides and being accelerated thanks to a mix of exciting youngsters and experienced veterans.
Dickey should be a positive influence in the clubhouse, and he could also make for great trade bait if the Braves are out of it by the 2017 deadline.
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