This offseason continues to be a… difficult one for Atlanta Braves fans. The latest disappointing piece of news comes not from what the new regime front office of the team has done, but rather what the Kansas City Royals have done–signed former Atlanta righty Kris Medlen to a two-year contract:
#Royals have signed former Braves RHP Kris Medlen. Had TJ surgery last March. Was 15-12 with 3.11 ERA in 2013. Was 10-1, 1.97 in 2012
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) December 18, 2014
According to Flanagan, the deal is for two years with a mutal option for the 2017 season.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal has details on the contract:
Source: Medlen two-year deal with #Royals worth $8.5M - $2M, $5.5M plus $10M mutual option with $1M buyout if either party declines.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 18, 2014
Source: Medlen deal with #Royals includes $4M in incentives in first year, $6M in second.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 18, 2014
It isn’t shocking that Medlen signed with another team this offseason after being non-tendered by the Braves following a ruined season due to his second Tommy John surgery, but this one still hurts. Medlen has been with the team seemingly longer than any of the current players on the roster, and was always a fan-favorite.
@KrisMedlen54 might be the coolest, funniest, most down-to-earth dude I covered in 20 yrs of baseball writing. Hate to see him leave #Braves
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 18, 2014
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At the same time though, the team was rightfully concerned with Medlen’s injuries and apparently thought he wasn’t worth the $8.5 million that the Royals gave him.
In the meantime, the Braves are still looking for another starter to fill out a rotation that currently includes Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Alex Wood and Shelby Miller, with Jake Peavy being a longshot possibility.
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