Braves reach one-year deal with veteran pitcher Josh Collmenter
The Atlanta Braves’ first offseason effort to add competition to the starting rotation was to keep one of their 2016 options in-house. The team reportedly reached a one-year deal with Josh Collmenter on Monday to avoid arbitration, pending a physical.
The deal is worth a base salary of $1.2 million. Collmenter will be able to earn up to $1.2 million in incentives.
The 30-year-old right-hander started the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the organization that drafted in the 15th round of the 2007 draft and eventually named him their Opening Day starter in 2015, before being let go, signing a minor-league contract with the Cubs and eventually landing a major-league roster spot in Atlanta. He delivered results, too. In three starts with the Braves, Collmenter completed 19 innings with a 2.37 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
If the two sides did not reach a pre-arbitration deal, the Braves were expected to non-tender the veteran starter.
There are likely zero promises attached to the contract — the team-friendly contract should give Atlanta flexibility in spring training and beyond — so Collmenter could compete for a rotation spot alongside Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz, a host of young arms and any other additions the front office makes or serve in a long-relief role.
#Braves Collmenter will get $1.2 million base salary, and can earn up to another $1.2M w/ incentives
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) November 8, 2016
