SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Braves took their first step toward satisfying their starting pitching needs on Thursday, when former Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey agreed to terms on a one-year deal with an option for the 2018 season.
The deal is pending a physical exam and approval from Major League Baseball. Financial terms were not disclosed.
 
R.A. Dickey signs one-year deal with Braves
 
As the Braves entered the offseason intent on adding at least two starting pitchers, Dickey stood high on their wish list because of his experience and ability to eat innings. The 42-year-old knuckleballer struggled this past season, posting a 4.46 ERA over 30 appearances for the Blue Jays, but he had totaled at least 200 innings in each of the five previous seasons and averaged 219 innings in that stretch.
Dickey, a resident of Nashville, Tenn., will now have a chance to reacquaint himself with the National League East. The veteran right-hander won the 2012 NL Cy Young Award while pitching for the Mets, and was traded to the Blue Jays soon after.
Though Dickey had a subpar season, the Braves believe he still has the capability to be as consistent as he was when he produced a 3.46 ERA from 2010-15. He posted a 2.95 ERA over the course of his three-season stint with the Mets.
A majority of Dickey's struggles this past season were experienced while pitching in Toronto. He posted a 5.28 ERA in 15 home starts and a 3.57 ERA in 14 road starts.
Atlanta is Dickey's sixth Major League organization. He pitched parts of five seasons with Texas (2001-06), a year with Seattle (2008), a year with Minnesota (2009), three years with the Mets (2010-12) and four seasons with Toronto.
The Braves now have Dickey, Julio Teheran and Mike Foltynewiczpenciled into their rotation for next season. They will continue to look at both the trade and free-agent markets to add at least one more starter.
Despite the fact that Matt WislerAaron Blair and Josh Collmenter could compete for the rotation's fifth spot, Braves general manager John Coppolella has said there is a chance he could end up adding a total of three starting pitchers this offseason.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com
 

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