The Atlanta Braves and free-agent pitcher Gavin Floyd agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract on Monday.
Floyd’s deal includes $4.5 million in performance and roster bonus. However it doesn’t include an option for 2015, which means he will be a free-agent again after next year. The question for the Braves now is can Floyd pitch? Floyd had Tommy John surgery in May to repair the ulnar collateral ligament and a torn flexor muscle in his right elbow, according to the Associated Press. The surgery ended his season with the Chicago White Sox, which was his seventh season with them. Floyd said that his arm feels great.
''It's nice to start over, create the right mechanics ... all the simple things to become more natural,'' Floyd said. "It just seemed like all the arrows were pointing to Atlanta.”
In ten seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and the White Sox, Floyd is 70-70 with a 4.48 ERA. 2008 was his best season. That year he was 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA with the White Sox, according to ESPN. Floyd joins the Braves rotation that includes Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy, Alex Wood, and possibly David Hales.
Frank Wren, the Braves general manager, hopes that Floyd is ready to pitch in May. Wren wants Floyd to be a solid, middle of the rotation starter.