According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the Atlanta Braves are considering a two-year contract with Kris Medlen. Medlen missed all of 2014 due to his second Tommy John surgery in March, but expects to return at some point in 2015.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding his 2015 season, the #Braves have discussed a two-year deal with Kris Medlen.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 2, 2014
There is also a chance the #Braves could offer Medlen a one-year deal w/ an option that would be exercised if he finds some success in ’15
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 2, 2014
The 29 year-old starter is arbitration eligible this winter, and Tim Dierkes of MLBTR projects him to earn $5.8 million in his last time through the process. For this reason, he has been strongly rumored to be a non-tender candidate by the Braves. Being that he likely won’t be with Atlanta for a full season next year, the Braves might be able to save money by non-tendering Medlen—making him a free agent.
The former 10th rounder certainly doesn’t fit the mold of a non-tender candidate statistically. Before his injury, Medlen had a strong 2012 and 2013 season. Over that 335 inning span, Medlen posted a 2.47 ERA, while being aided 7.4 K/9, 1.9 BB/9. With an fWAR of 6.3 across 2012-2013, Medlen also owned one of the better change-ups in the game in those two seasons. Throwing it 20.0% of the time in 2012, the righty owned a 17.0 wCH. In 2013 he threw it 22.9% of the time, owning a 13.2 wCH.
The non-tender deadline is December 2nd at 11 o’clock Central Time, and the Braves will surely be looking to sign him to a deal that would keep him around possibly through 2016. Atlanta will likely want to sign him for less than the $6 million he is projected to make as a result of the type of injury he is attempting to comeback from.
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