The Atlanta Braves continued their busy off-season on Wednesday by signing free agent starting pitcher Cole Hamels on a one-year deal valued at $18 million.
Hamels, who spent the past season and a half pitching for the Chicago Cubs, will join a team which stood as one of his biggest rivals during his decade-long tenure as a Philadelphia Phillie.
The veteran lefty, who will turn 36 in December, has shown himself to be one of the most durable pitcher in the league throughout his career. He surpassed the 24-start mark for the fourteenth consecutive season in 2019, posting a 7-7 record with a 3.81 ERA in 27 starts with Chicago.
Hamels missed time last season with an oblique injury that he suffered in late June. He had posted a sub-3 ERA before the injury, but then struggled down the stretch after returning from his time on the injured list.
The San Diego native will now join a Braves team that will be looking for its third consecutive NL East title in the 2020 season. He will serve as the veteran mentor of a young pitching staff that is projected to include starters like Mike Soroka, Max Fried, and Mike Foltynewicz.
Hamels will report to Braves spring training in February.
