Bud Norris signs one year deal with Atlanta Braves

Former Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, and San Diego Padres pitcher Bud Norris has signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million with the Atlanta Braves.

Bud Norris’s career path has been an interesting one. He was the best pitcher on some bad Houston Astros teams before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2013. Norris was an important part of the 2014 Orioles starting rotation that led the Orioles to an AL East Division title and an American League Championship Series appearance. Norris suffered a huge setback last season due to sickness and got designated for assignment by the Orioles. He pitched in 20 games out of the bullpen for the Padres after being dumped by the Orioles. Now he’s signed a one-year deal worth $2,500,000 with the Atlanta Braves.

Bud Norris will join an Atlanta Braves team that is clearly rebuilding. His role will likely be similar to the one that he had in Houston. His job will likely be to go out there every fifth game and give it his all as he tries to at least save the Braves bullpen from being overused. The addition of Norris does bring into question with the Braves plan to do with Shelby Miller and Julio Teheran. Norris has a career record of 56-68 and a 4.44 earned run average.

His best season came in 2014 when he went 15-8 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 starts. He threw 165 1/3 innings in the regular season in 2014. He had two postseason starts in 2014. He outpitched David Price of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series, shutting out the Tigers while allowing just two hits over 6 1/3 innings. He finished the 2014 postseason with a 1-0 record and a 3.38 ERA.

Bud Norris is a good buy low candidate for the Braves. He suffered a ton of setbacks in 2015, but he has been productive as recently as two seasons ago. If he doesn’t work out, the Braves can cut him loose because he’s only getting paid $2,500,000. He could be a trade candidate if he pitches well.