Cole Hamels and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a one-year, $18 million contract according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Hamels, who turns 36 later this month, went 7-7 for the Chicago Cubs in 2019 with a 3.81 ERA, 1.391 WHIP, and 4.09 FIP in 27 starts. He also struck out 143 batters in 141 2/3 innings for a 9.1 K/9 rate.
The left-hander was excellent in the first half with a 2.98 ERA, but tried to pitch through an oblique issue in the second half that saw his ERA dip to 5.79.
Dallas Keuchel and Julio Teheran are both free agents after pitching in the Braves rotation in 2019, they could still look to add another arm.
The Braves have been the most aggressive team early in free agency, adding Hamels, Will Smith, and Travis d’Arnaud while re-signing right-handed relievers Chris Martin and Darren O’Day.
