The Braves have struck a minor-league deal with righty Kris Medlen, per David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter links). Once a key member of the Atlanta organization, Medlen will now have to earn his way into MLB camp, as his deal doesn’t include an invite.
If Medlen does make the MLB roster, he’ll earn at a $1MM annual rate, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). He can also achieve up to $2MM in incentives, based upon what role he might occupy (games started or total appearances).
Medlen, now 31, last appeared for the Braves in 2013, when he turned in 197 innings of 3.11 ERA ball with 7.2 K/9 against 2.1 BB/9. His career was knocked off course the next spring, however, when he tore his UCL during Spring Training and ultimately required Tommy John surgery.
Atlanta ultimately elected not to tender him a contract before the 2015 season, leaving Medlen to explore the open market. He landed with the Royals on a two-year deal that promised $8.5MM, but never really made good on the contract in Kansas City.
Medlen was able to return to action and provide 58 1/3 innings in 2015 — including eight starts and seven relief appearances. While his 4.01 ERA wasn’t exactly sparkling, Medlen did return to his typical ~90 mph fastball velocity and show that he could pitch competently at the major league level.
While there was some hope for a greater resurgence this past season, that wasn’t to be. Medlen dealt with shoulder injuries and wasn’t effective when he was available. He ended up handling only 24 1/3 MLB innings, posting a 7.77 ERA while uncharacteristically walking more batters (20) than he struck out (18).
Still, it’s an easy risk for Atlanta to take on a pitcher who is still relatively youthful and remains popular with the fanbase. Whether or not he can crack the roster remains to be seen, though the lack of a camp invite suggests that the team isn’t expecting it. Odds are, then, that Medlen will need to attempt to work his way back to the bigs with a stint in the upper minors at least to open the season.
Best news all year
Love it, another cheap alternative.
If he can get back to what he was this is a very exciting deal
Where he was, as in 5 years ago? Or 2015?
Not even an invite to camp? Ouch.
Can you be washed up if you were only good for like a year and a half anyway?
I don’t know….maybe we could ask Mark Prior
Prior was pretty good for about 4 years. What a shame he exploded
Wow Chester….what the heck are you smoking?! 4 good years…nice but not hardly.
ERA+ (ERA as compared to league average) says he was above average every year from 2002 through 2005… so yeah, 4 good years if you want to use statistics. (nobody said great).
I might agree with you that prior was league average….but to say medlen had only a year and half of being a good pitcher is false…..he basically was as you would put it..if using era..etc..an above average pitcher. Check his stats from 2009 to 2015. Pretty solid.
You commented that we should ask Mark Prior about being washed up after 1.5 years. I pointed out that Mark Prior was pretty good for 4 years (not 1.5). Mark prior had 4 years of above league average production by fwar. I’d consider a pitcher who puts up 2.8ish fwar as a pretty good pitcher. You can disagree with that, I guess.
So I’m not sure why you are trying to imply that anything I said is crazy, if you simply look at stats you will see it’s not.
Solid? GTFO of here lol
Medlen was above average from 09 to 15? That’s a massive stretch. He was a regular starter for exactly one year ( in 2013) . He was a mediocre reliever and spot starter in 09-10, missed 11, then started 43 games in 12-13 as an outstanding starting pitcher.
That said, I also wouldn’t agree Prior was good for 4 years either – he was never the same after his big 03 campaign, although at his best he was vastly better than Medlen.
I’ve got a broken vacuum cleaner the Braves can buy. It used to be new and work perfectly, but now it’s really just the shape of a vacuum cleaner.
Good news is that a broken vacuum cleaner doesn’t suck.
I see what you did there
Nice one.
Nice.
Jo-Jo Reyes can’t be far off from re-signing either.
Here he comes.
JoJo Reyes actually pitched in the big leagues last year. I had no idea. He’s also only 32 somehow.
This guy use to be my favorite brave
…and in a perfect world – he easily could be that guy again !
Next up, Dan Uggla signs a minor league contract with the Braves!
Jk. I hope the best for Medlin. He was never a true “Star”, but I enjoyed the year he was really good for the Braves. I’ll never forget how the Braves won like 11 straight with him on the mound, then lost the WC game with him pitching. So sad.
Oh dude I would love dan uggly back on the braves
This is a smart move that any team could have used. Very low risk on a guy who knows what it’s like in the majors and has potential to return providing good value and production.
Nice move and I definitely wish the best for Medlen. The way it stands without a non-roster invite Medlen will definitely have to pitch well and earn his way back up to Atlanta, but at least he has that opportunity to try.
Interesting that he didn’t even get an invite. I guess he’ll pitch on the minor league side first to see what his stuff is like. If it’s decent enough, I imagine they’ll bring him over to big league camp.
I love this move! Kris Medlen is one of my top 5 favorite Braves ever! Such a great guy and joy to watch! That 2013 year was amazing!! Dude looked like Greg Maddux lite out there.
Just out of curiosity who are the other Braves in the top five
David Justice, Brian McCann, Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman.
No Chipper? That guy was legit
I’m not the person you replied to, but lots of Braves fan dislike or outright despise Chipper. Particularly women.
Chipper was great and I like him but he wasn’t one of my top 5 favorites. But he’d be in my top 10.
and so it starts the greatest comeback in MLB history! Medlen, 2018 Cy Young.
That absolutely was NOT an infield fly
It wasn’t a routine infield pop for sure. It was ruled as it was however and unfortunately that game didn’t go the Braves way.
Ah yes. I forgot Medlen pitched that game. It most certainly was not an infield fly.
Braves to sign Mike Hampton
How come everyone trash talks a guy who has a better job than all of us?
Ah, the old “at least he plays a game for a living and you don’t” argument.
It’s the internet. everyone thinks they’re better on the internet.
Great signing but I want him in the bullpen. He obviously can’t handle the rigors of the rotation so lets see what he could do with a return to the bullpen. More than likely though if proves healthy he will be called up to replace Garcia if his injuries act up.
On another note read on another site the Mets are interested in Vizzy. Wonder what they would be willing to move for him ? How bout Chase little brother ?????
Travis d’Arnaud is horrible. Career .245/.311/.393 hitter. That’s probably his good part as his defense is very bad to say the least.
Always been a big fan of Medlen. Hope he gets a chance to pitch in the majors for them again. Go Braves!
Maybe John rocker is making a comeback too
I saw Kris pitch a few times last year in Omaha and I saw him pitch live a few times when he was still with the Braves. Two different guys entirely, he’s merely a shell of what he used to be. The look on his face and his body language more recently suggested he wasn’t comfortable or having fun and letting loose like he used to. It was obvious he was struggling with himself whereas before he would play like a kid enjoying the him.
I’m not suggesting he’s not enjoying himself or doesn’t love the game anymore, but until he finds his confidence and has a long enough break between injuries he’s not going to return to form. I like the signing and I would love for him to, but personally I don’t think he will. I think it’s a sympathy sign by the Braves to give Kris his last chance.
*game
Wasn’t Medlen particularly close with Tommy Hanson coming up through the system? I hope Tommy’s passing didn’t take the fun out of the game for Kris, but it couldn’t have helped last year. Maybe coming back to Atlanta will help and he can contribute in some way.
One of these minor league deal lottery tickets is going to pay off for their ballclub. So far this one and Ryan Vogelsong are two of my favorites.
Classy move! Kris gave his all to the Braves during his tenure and it was sad for fans to see the Braves forced to make a tough call in not resigning him before.
When you look at the pitchers who took it on the chin during Fredi’s reign….Kris, Johnny Venters, Brandon Beachy, Eric O’Flaherty…. some of it was from mishandling and it’s great to see the Braves giving these guys who contributed greatly to success of the past get another chance to tomahawk again. Im pulling hard for Beachy to find the right fit too.
Personally, I’d like nothing better to see Kris back in the bigs he had a huge intangible that was reminds me of Pete Rose types who throw caution to the wind for just one more run or out. We need more of these type players on the diamond.
Kris, your fans will be pulling for you in a big way and we are hoping to see you as comeback player of the year.
This is an exciting time to be a Braves fan the future looks amazing and in a world in which we can use some apple pie distractions, thanks Braves for putting together a competitive team that we can believe in!
Wonder what it would take for the Rays to come up off Archer and Longoria? Maybe at the break…
I went to a season ticket holder event and Kris Medlen spoke. He shared about a time Eddie Perez was ‘using the bathroom’ and he let a pig loose in the bathroom. Eddie had to pick his legs up as the pig ran around. I liked him before but he instantly became a favorite.