Bud Norris: A Low Cost, Low Risk Signing for Braves

Bud Norris signed a 1-year, $2.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves this past week.

A 7-year veteran, the 30-year-old Bud Norris has a lifetime ERA of 4.44 and a lifetime WHIP of 1.40. Though he has never been more than a back of the rotation starter, the Atlanta Braves have high hopes that under the guidance of Roger McDowell, can perhaps replicate the numbers he put up as a member of the Baltimore Orioles in 2014, where he posted a 3.65 ERA in 28 starts, pitching 165.1 innings.

As it currently stands, the Atlanta Braves starting rotation is young, with its most senior member being Shelby Miller, who is only 25-years-old. Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz, and Williams Perez are 24, while Matt Wisler is only 23. Add to that the potential of having Manny Banuelos (24) and Mike Minor (27), the Braves lack a veteran presence in their rotation. With a young starting rotation that may get even younger if Tyrell Jenkins secures a spot out of Spring Training, Bud Norris provides veteran leadership on a young staff.

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Last season, Bud Norris’s numbers were horrendous at best, posting a 6.72 ERA between the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres. His numbers would indicate that this move by the Braves is a disaster waiting to happen — much like the signing of Trevor Cahill or Eric Stults last season — the low cost of his signing gives the Braves the opportunity to at least wait and see what happens, and if Bud Norris can become the next Aaron Harang.

Bud Norris does not have a history of injuries, which bodes well for a Braves club where arm trouble has ravaged the organization in the recent past. Norris’s ability to stay healthy mitigates the risk of signing a pitcher with past arm trouble. His career numbers also indicate that Bud Norris can effectively pitch deep into ballgames, and has received run support throughout his time in the majors. On a Braves club that had the worst run differential in baseball last year at -187, they could use a pitcher that can get 5-6 innings every start.

Next: Bud Norris: Braves Sign Veteran RHP to 1-Year Deal

Even if the signing of Bud Norris ends up as a failure, the Braves now have the financial flexibility to take the low risk of seeing how it plays out. No it’s not the most sexy move that we Braves fans were hoping for this offseason, but a veteran presence with a history of eating up innings is not a bad signing at all. We’ll have to see how it plays out, but in the meantime, hopefully John Coppolella turns his focus to obtaining an impact bat.

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