Braves Close To Deal With Gavin Floyd

Apr 21, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

(34) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

According to David O’Brien, the Atlanta Braves are close to a deal with former Chicago White Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd:

Floyd missed most of the 2013 season after injuring his elbow and having Tommy John surgery in May. While he threw just 24 innings last year, from 2008-2012 with Chicago, Floyd proved to be a reliable innings-eater. He compiled 206, 193, 187, 193 and 162 innings per year, respectively.

Over his entire career, he has a 4.48 ERA as well as a 7.06 K/9 and 3.05 BB/9. He’s been a pretty solid middle-of-the-rotation pitcher throughout his career and the Braves are likely hoping that he can get healthy at some point next year and provide some depth in the rotation as well as a veteran presence.

The Braves (if they actually end up completing the deal) could hope to see Floyd back near the All-Star Break. Per Scott Coleman of Talking Chop:

"He underwent surgery in early May. Fourteen months from then would be around the All-Star Break, and that would probably be a best-case scenario, according to the ESPN story. Other guys have been able to come back in 12 months or so. Each case is different, and the Braves will just have to keep their fingers crossed that Floyd comes back sooner rather than later."

This is another good deal in my opinion, and likely what we are going to be seeing throughout this off season. Smart, low profile moves that could pay off a bit. We don’t need to make a big splash in the free agent market, and we don’t have the minor league depth to get away with some kind of David Price-like trade.

We’ll continue to follow the story and update you when more news becomes available.