Braves Sign Gavin Floyd

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves have signed free agent pitcher Gavin Floyd to a one-year deal. According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, Floyd will earn $4MM, with the potential to earn up to $8.5MM with incentives.

Floyd, 30, pitched in just 24 1/3 innings in 2013 due to a damaged ulnar collateral ligament and torn flexor muscle. He required Tommy John surgery to repair the damaged UCL, as well as the additional repair to the flexor muscle. The standard recovery from Tommy John surgery is 12 months, but it could be longer for Floyd because of the additional repair to the flexor muscle.

Floyd has been a relatively durable innings eater in his career. Since becoming a full time starter for the Chicago White Sox in 2008, the lowest amount of innings Floyd pitched in a season was 168 until the injuries.

In his last full season, 2012, Floyd went 12-11 with a 4.29 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. Floyd averaged 7.71 strikeouts, 3.38 walks and 1.18 homeruns per nine innings.

Overall it was a down year for Floyd, as it was the first time since 2008 that his xFIP was over four runs at 4.26. He was worth 1.9 Wins Above Replacement in 2012.

If Floyd comes back in 2014, he will join a rotation that already has Kris Medlen, Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, Brandon Beachy and Alex Wood.

It is interesting to note that Floyd will become the fourth starter on the Braves that has had Tommy John Surgery. Medlen, Beachy and Wood have all battled their way back from the surgery.