Atlanta Braves sign veteran reliever Collin McHugh to 2-year contract

The Atlanta Braves have signed RHP and Georgia native Collin McHugh to a two-year contract on Tuesday afternoon. 

Alex Anthopoulos wasn’t kidding when he said there was more work to be done on the Atlanta Braves roster this offseason.

Just a few short hours after a press conference revealing Matt Olson had received a contract extension worth $168 million, the Braves general manager struck another deal.

Atlanta had officially announced that Collin McHugh had agreed to a two-year contract worth $10 million guaranteed.

McHugh also has a club option worth $6 million as well as a $1 million buy-out clause.

As you’ll see in the graphic above, McHugh is a talented pitcher who is no stranger to pitching on the highest level.

Last year with Tampa, he pitched his way to a 6-1 record with a 1.55 ERA over 64 innings while recording 74 strikeouts.

Also impressive is that he has the second-lowest reliever ERA (2.11) since 2018 which only trails his teammate and first time Brave, Kirby Yates.

McHugh grew up a resident of the Atlanta area and attended Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn, Georgia.

His career ERA is 3.77 across nine seasons in the majors mainly in starting roles but since 2018 has been mainly a reliever.

In that span, he’s earned a 13-4 record over 158 innings. That is exactly the kind of numbers you want to see from a reliever. Especially when you hope to contend for a World Series.

He features a fastball, slider, curveball, and cutter. The former Astro and teammate of Charlie Morton will likely be featured as a late-innings option but could see a spot start or two if needed.

McHugh is a welcome sight in a bullpen that is very left-hand dominant. He is going to be a very nice addition to this bullpen. Arm barn? Bullpen? I don’t know what we’ve decided on.

Regardless of the name we choose for a collection of pitchers waiting to come into the later innings of a game, McHugh is a very nice addition and AA did an excellent job with this deal.

There should still be some capital left over to add an outfielder (preferably of the left-handed persuasion) and a starting pitcher. Two areas the Braves need to complete this team and make a run at a repeat.

Alex Anthopoulos is dealing with one of the toughest weeks of his life as a GM and I, for one, don’t envy him one bit right now.

However, if there is one thing he’s proven time and time again, he will always add quality talent to this organization and it will always be the right person at the right time.

What move do you think the Braves should make next?

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