The Atlanta Braves have already had a busy offseason. They have been one of the most popular teams when it comes to free agent rumors and marquee trades, but on Tuesday it was announced that the team signed a player who will not steal many headlines. However, this player could end being an underrated pickup in the long run.

Atlanta signed RHP Collin McHugh to a two-year deal worth $10 million with a $6 million dollar club option for a third season, per John Heyman.

The move could end up being crucial this season for the Braves. They currently have four listed starting pitchers on their depth chart, and McHugh could slide into the fifth spot in the rotation. And even if the Braves decide to go in a different direction for their fifth starting pitcher McHugh is someone with loads of relief experience and could be a valuable weapon out of the bullpen.

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His breakout season came back in 2014 with Houston when he posted a quality 2.73 ERA and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. McHugh then pitched to the tune of a 3.89 ERA in 2015 with 171 strikeouts en route to an eight place finish in Cy Young voting. After taking a step back in 2016, the right-hander posted a 3.55 ERA in 2017 despite pitching in limited action. But he was a part of the Astros World Series campaign nonetheless.

He has bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen since 2017. McHugh left Houston and joined Tampa Bay for the 2021 season where he turned in an impressive 1.55 ERA in 37 games.

It will be interesting to see if the Braves choose to utilize him as a starter or a reliever. Whichever decision they end up making, McHugh should play an important role for Atlanta as they look to repeat as World Series champions in 2022.