The Braves have announced that they’ve signed right-hander Collin McHugh to a two-year deal with a $10MM guarantee. The 34-year-old will make $4MM this year and $5MM next year. There’s also a $6MM club option for 2024 with a $1MM buyout.
McHugh struggled in his first taste of MLB action with the Mets and Rockies, but then established himself as a quality starter with the Astros. From 2014 to 2017, he made 102 starts, throwing 606 1/3 innings with an ERA of 3.70, 22.3% strikeout rate and 6.6% walk rate. In that last year, he missed the first half of the season with arm injuries, but returned in July to make 12 starts and appear in two playoff games out of the bullpen, as the Astros went on to win the 2017 World Series.
From there, McHugh transitioned into a bullpen role and found immediate success, frequently pitching more than one inning. In 2018, he got into 58 games and threw 72 1/3 innings with an ERA of 1.99, 33.2% strikeout rate and 7.4% walk rate. In 2019, he tried returning to the rotation, making eight starts at the beginning of the season. That experiment didn’t go well, as he had an ERA of 6.37 in that time. But after transitioning back to the ’pen, he got things back on track, throwing 33 2/3 innings over the remainder of the season with a 2.67 ERA.
However, despite those positive results, 2019 finished with yet another arm injury as his last appearance was in August. In 2020, he signed on with the Red Sox but the elbow issues lingered and he ended up opting out of the entire season. The Rays signed him to a $1.8MM deal for 2021, which turned into a tremendous bounceback season for McHugh. Despite multiple trips to the IL, he got into 37 games and logged 64 innings with a 1.55 ERA, 30% strikeout rate and 4.9% walk rate.
For the defending World Series champion Braves, their bullpen took a hit at the end of the season, as Richard Rodriguez, Josh Tomlin, Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin hit free agency, with Chavez and Martin both signing with the Cubs in recent days. McHugh will try to compensate for those losses, slotting into the bullpen next to other high-leverage options such as Will Smith, Tyler Matzek, Luke Jackson and A.J. Minter. The club will also be hoping for Kirby Yates, who missed last year due to Tommy John surgery, to join this group at some point.
whyhayzee
Poop.
cleveland.indians.eternally
The new Drew Smyly?
braves2
naw, this guy will be a good BP piece
Kruk it
That’s the guy the Phillies needed. Braves did well and cheap!!
TradeAcuna
I approve!
deweybelongsinthehall
Much more than I expected guaranteed. While I’m glad Boston passed at that cost, I’m glad for an older (not old) reliever to get a guaranteed two years.
Samuel
Amazing……
The Phillies are paying 2 lousy relief pitchers….so far…..more this season.
iamrightyouarewrong
Why does it always seem like the Braves make the moves the Phillies should have made?
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
Because the braves don’t spend “stupid money”
Kruk it
You are so right!
NYMETSHEA
Was hoping for the Mets to sign him. =(
❤️ MuteButton
Excellent pitcher when healthy. I enjoyed his days as an Astro
bucsfan0004
The Rays used him perfectly last year: Opener, 2 inning bridge guy, and closer once in awhile.
802Ghost
NIce, solid pickup if he stays healthy.
deweybelongsinthehall
Big if which is the only reason I would have given more for one year.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
So much for the Red Sox signing him.
dynamite drop in monty
2/10 is way too pricy for Couch Cushion Chaim
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Yeah, he is very conservative but I thought there may have been a chance since we signed him before.
dynamite drop in monty
We gave him 600k for literally nothing.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
They said Sox were interested but Braves obviously won the deal.
Chaim Bloom tempers with the market then starts to make big deals once the main pieces are already gone.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Hey, Braves signed Smyley for 1 year $11 mil, this may be a bargain! I’m in!!!
miltpappas
Sad thing is, everyone thinks Bloom County is going to start spending. He isn’t. Sad. Major market, team has mega-bucks and this cheapskate is signing refugees.
802Ghost
I mean, Bloom is pretty successful in his team-building capabilities. He knows what he’s doing more than you do.
Samuel
This coming season will show – as with every offseason – that the overwhelming majority of the FA signings were bad; and the multi-year ones more often than not tie the hands of those teams FO’s when they have to make a move.
The Brewers, Jays, now Red Sox and others do the right thing – make their moves with in-season trades as they find what’s needed due to injuries and/or players having unexpected poor years.
No awards for winning the offseason.
Flexibility is key.
cadagan
Well that is part of FA.
Vast majority will not be “worth”.
Compared to other players.
It goes without saying.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Define who everyone is because I agree with you that Bloom doesn’t spend. But, I must admit, it has worked out for Bloom so far.
Kruk it
The main course was there. He did great with the side dishes
Randy Red Sox
Bloom still too busy diving into the dumpster bins. Now “apparently” they are in on Freddie Freeman even though they have a top 20 1B prospect in Tristan Casas and also Bobby Dalbec but hey let’s spend our money on areas we don’t have a need ???
PS -I HAVE ZERO interest in this google product this site is trying { 11 times so far} to check out before they post my opinion here
HBan22
I wanted the Sox to get McHugh pretty badly. Apparently 2 years, $10-12 million for a guy who has been one of the best relievers in baseball for the past several years is simply too expensive for Bloom. McHugh can also go several innings at a time, which would have been very beneficial for the Sox and their brittle, mediocre rotation.
I love the offense (if they add Suzuki or another good OFer to replace Renfroe), but I am getting pretty sick of Bloom not being willing to spend any money whatsoever on pitching. Anthony DeSclafani only got 3 years, $36 million for example, and he would have been the Sox second or third best starter this coming season. An injured James Paxton and a 45 year old Rich Hill just isn’t going to cut it. Spend some money, Bloom. You aren’t with the Rays anymore!
budselig
Once a Ray always a Ray
Cincyfan85
I think the Braves are among the best run teams in baseball. I think my Reds are among the absolute worst.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
AA is looking pretty good for the Braves now but I didn’t think he did a great job in Toronto so I’m on the fence about him.
j_butte
He was very aggressive in Toronto, he’s been very reluctant in Atlanta to be aggressive. I think he learned from his mistakes. 4 years, 4 division titles, and a World Series Championship..get off the fence.
JoeBrady
He jumped the gun with some of the big trades. They weren’t good enough to go over the top. A bit like Preller with SD 6 years ago or so, like Philly a couple of years back, and like Reds, every few years.
AA seems more patient now.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
I don’t need to be anywhere near the fence because I’m not a Braves fan. Simply an observation on my part.
braves fan 138
AA was notified that was not going to be the GM the next year so he went for it all, it is as simple as that
mj-2
4 years 4 division titles… sounds more like he inherited a good team that was ready to win. Not sure how you’re giving him credit when he walks into a situation where the team was already built to win titles.
He pulled the right strings for the WS run for sure and he definitely gets credit for that one. But the team was already in great shape to win before he came along
mj-2
The man who deserves a lot of credit who won’t get it because of the dumb sanctions is John Coppolella.
Coppy really wasn’t doing anything that other teams werent doing with those international players. The league decided to make an example of him though and he paid the price. He was a good GM though, and you look at the pieces that make up this Braves… he’s the one who brought most of them in.
king_tut
You have to remember though, for how well Coppy did on almost everything baseball-wise he also led a toxic work culture and infighting which wouldn’t have brought long term success!
trollie fingers
AA has made some slick moves but Coppy absolutely laid the foundation for this entire run.
bullred
Yes he learned he was a goner in Toronto so he spent the prospects that he brought to the Jays. Doing so won him executive of the year. Go figure. He was always a good GM.
You Can Put It In The Books
Good get for the Bravos.
Metsfan-22
He was supposed to sign with my mets on a minor league deal
bravesfan
I mean, it’s a very Braves move. Very meh. Not bad, but next to no real upside. Got to stay healthy. But long term, I bet he ends up in the pen
Dustyslambchops23
Lol flags fly for four months apparently
getrealgone2
I see Braves fans swearing off the team for good over Freddie. The team just won the world series. People are childish.
YaySports
I wouldn’t put much stock in the loud mouths you see on Twitter. Just because they’re the loudest doesn’t mean they speak for everyone. I’ve probably spoken to 50 Braves fans in the last 2 days and pretty much every one of them gets it
Tomahawk Takeover
He’s a solid pitcher who can start or pitch in relief. He makes the staff better. There’s nothing meh about it.
You Can Put It In The Books
The biggest benefit with McHugh in my opinion is his versatility. If he stays healthy (big if), he gives his teams a lot of options from mop up duty to spot starts to multi-inning relief outings.
Hammerin' Hank
Of course, they’re signing him to be in the pen. He’s a great reliever who’s getting less money than a lot of inferior relievers, due to some injury risk.
leftykoufax
Braves looking formidable
Paclypse71
Now get 2 of Conforto/Pederson/Rosario/Soler
802Ghost
Lord, I hope not.
Soler is the only one I’d want of that bunch. And i’d really only want him for DH, which Ozuna has locked down.
j_butte
Braves need a lefty outfielder in case Duvall turns into a pumpkin. Preferably one that can play centerfield
stugots
The braves need player that can actually play CF
HBan22
They’re waiting on Michael Harris to take over CF, probably sometime next season if he continues to progress. Drew Waters had a bad 2021, but is also very talented and couple be up this season if he gets off to a good start.
Mario93
And of course it’s Anthopoulos, who gets the most underrated relief arm on the market. Good for the Braves.
stymeedone
Pretty well paid for someone under rated.
Mario93
4 million this season to pitch for the Braves coming off a season with a 1.55era. Yeah, it definitely breaks the bank..
HBan22
Dude, Joe Kelly and Hector Neris just got 2 year, $17 million dollar contracts. And they are not all that great. McHugh was more worth 2/$17 than either of them. I’m really not a fan at all of the Freeman/Olson outcome for the Braves, but McHugh was a terrific signing by AA.
g4
What a steal
HBan22
I thought he would get almost twice the amount that he did. With the rate that relievers are getting paid this off-season, the Yates and McHugh signings look brilliant.
Rick Wilkins
Man. Good day for AA. The Braves are set up very well for a long run in the East.
HalosHeavenJJ
Great signing. I really wanted.
Halo11Fan
This is a very reasonable price for a quality late inning RP.
After a year plus in Anaheim, I think it’s very likely that Perry Minasian didn’t have much to do with the Braves success. He had a terrible off-season last year, and there are some huge issues that have not been addressed this off-season.
My confidence is low.
Angels & NL West
I wanted McHugh and/or Tepera. I haven’t been able to check on trades and signings today, so I hope Tepera is still available. That said, I’m not overly confident he will sign with the Angels.
BraveLil'Toaster
Only 3 seasons with over 75 innings pitched but pretty good numbers overall after his first 4 years in the NL. He got lit up early on in his career in the NL then apparently flipped a switch when he got to the AL. Let’s hope it was an experience thing and the league splits were a fluke.
Either way it’s a solid pickup & will help the pitching scenario overall.
Waiting patiently to see some of the next wave of young pitching to blossom but this seems like a great depth move. Injuries are always devastating in the rotation.
jjd002
It was Brent Strom. Dude is a genius.
Poopscab13
Nice get for the champs. Liking the moves they have made
Ham Lambert
I hopefully waited 4 friggin months for the BoSox to resign him. I’m pissed. I thought he was going to get paid a lot more too.
bkbkbkbk
Seemingly good, thoughtful dude and pitcher. Also I have a monster crush on his wife who is smart and funny on Twitter.
Brew88
now his wife can afford a body guard
Brew88
I know the world wanted Freddie to retire a Brave. But signing this pitcher comes from the $ saved on chosing Olson over Freeman
jdgoat
He’s better than like 5 relievers who got more money in the past few days.
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
Familia and hand got a higher aav lol.
You Can Put It In The Books
Agreed. He hasn’t been healthy in a couple seasons. Not sure if that affected it.
letsgomets 2
To me, this means that somehow the Mets thought that Adam Ottavino was a better pitcher than McHugh. That’s just not good analysis.
VonPurpleHayes
Braves are the only team in baseball who could lose their superstar face-of-the-franchise player and still get better.
802Ghost
You could make the case that Acuna is now the face of the franchise as well.
VonPurpleHayes
Definitely.
802Ghost
I also meant, before Freeman leaving. I think Acuna has taken over that role in 2020 and 2021.
StPeteStingRays
Dang. I was really hoping that the Rays would re-sign him. Good luck in Atlanta!
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
The rays will be good. Very jealous of the coaching throughout the system. Well run organisation.
LarryJ4
Braves are looking good. Hurts to lose freeman but Olsen is 4+ years younger and has more power that they needed. 8 year deal takes him to 35 where freeman wanted to go to age 38 for more money. Smart move. Now with the DH as long as Ozuna goes back to hitting form we don’t lose much of BA but gain WAY MORE in power. Still think we need a pitcher or 2 1 rotation one bp.
TommyLasutton
Alex’s team is doing some great work!
802Ghost
“For the defending World Series champion Braves, their bullpen took a hit at the end of the season, with Richard Rodriguez, Josh Tomlin, Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin hitting free agency”
Let’s be honest, Chavez is the only real loss here.
HBan22
Yeah, I don’t think the Braves will miss any of them very much.
bravesnation nc
Need a starter now.
NWMarinerHawk
Damnit! I really wanted him at the back of the M’s rotation. We need a righty, and could’ve used an old dog in that spot, would have been a good fit on this young team
PitcherMeRolling
Seems like the Braves make 1 signing every offseason that makes you wonder how they got that guy at that price. This is it.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
This guy has a great baseball mind and cool personality…( and cool wife I hear.) Found his niche as a reliever and perhaps the most underrated reliever on the market…wanted M’s to get him. ONCE again, stellar pickup Braves!!
wifflemeister
So while AA is busy signing the franchise keystone first baseman for the next 8+ years, just to keep himself occupied, he signs possibly the best under-the-radar value free agent pitcher on the market.
I am in awe.
NYMetsFanatic
Great pickup for the Braves. My heart goes out to their fans having lost Freddie Freeman to free agency but since it can’t be undone, having Matt Olson will make it easier for you guys to readjust. You guys have a great team still, and I don’t see that it’s going to be any easier getting past the Braves this year than it was last year.
YaySports
As a Braves fan that was quite worried about losing Freeman thanks. Surprisingly I actually feel a lot better about it now. AA has pulled off some great moves the last few days to right the ship. Rumor has it we aren’t done either. Supposedly there’s at least another SP and a starting OF on the way next.
HBan22
The only one that really hurt in my opinion was giving up Langliers. I really thought he was the Braves catcher of the future. But they are also well stocked at the postion for the next couple of seasons.
HBan22
Very good signing. McHugh has been borderline elite as a reliever the past few years, when healthy.
JoeBrady
I was hoping he’d sign with the RS. It might’ve been the two-year+ deal, combined with the injury risk.
bravesnation nc
We need a starter definitely! Someone to play center too.
jem
AA strikes again.
solaris602
I’m just stunned that Ryan Tepera is still on the market. Solid track record right through last season and apparently underrated by most clubs.
Toms Changeup
Wouldn’t mind seeing the Braves go for Tepera as well. I know the bullpen looked good in the postseason but they struggled a lot throughout the year. MLBTR needs to do a poll on where Freeman will land. I strongly think the Mets may be in the mix for him. I hope not would hate to see him go there.
dsett75
I’m thinking Dodgers. Especially now that the Yankees resigned Rizzo.
warnbeeb
Poop! I was hoping the Tigers would sign him. Nevertheless, he got more $$$ than I thought he might.
I like him. Good for him.
dsett75
So was I. Avila seems to be laying back too much since the lockout was lifted. McHugh wudda been nice even though we need a lefty reliever more than a righty. If we get another Starter, Alexander can be the lefty out of the pen.
ludafish
Braves making some moves…if this guy is anywhere near 2021 form then their amazing pen is stronger. They invested in a younger power hitting defensive 1B. They won a ring with their worst roster in years. Now what will they do?
dsett75
They gotta tend to their OF, but other than that, they’re solid.
GarryHarris
The Braves are winning the off-season so far.
Angels & NL West
Braves are killing it this off-season. I don’t recall all the pre-lockout signings, but the Mariners are much improved, as well. And the Rangers have a long way to go, but they have had a big off-season.
dsett75
McHugh’s been pretty good out of the pen. Braves are gunna be good. Especially when they get that OF figured out.
bravesnation nc
Rizzo just resigned with Yankees.
Why didn’t Freddie just take the deal and Stay? I’m wondering if his agents “Also Kershaw’s” aren’t overreaching. Seems they wanted to create a bidding war but it seems teams don’t want to go that far.
yankee766766
Yankees never had any intention of signing Freeman or Correa or any other higher priced f/a. . As usual it is Status quo for them……Donaldson and Kiner-Falefa improves them…..BUT what about catcher and CF’er…..So now they trade Gleyber as they put DJ where he finally belongs ????? What about SP?? Who closes when Chapman implodes again??
Toms Changeup
I’m really worried about the long term catcher situation for the Braves now that Langliers is gone. There isn’t really a whole lot of promising youn players at that position out there
bravesnation nc
Looking more and more each day that Freeman’s Camp overreached on the length of a deal! If Freddie gets 30 over 4/5 yrs was it really worth leaving Atl? SMH.
the_barber
Plus, he’s another talent coming home to GA. – 2 in one week!
AstrosWS20
Very happy for him. He’s going home.