Braves exercise option on Tyler Flowers, decline option on R.A. Dickey

The Braves announced Monday that they have exercised their $4 million option on catcher Tyler Flowers and declined their $8 million on right-hander R.A. Dickey. Dickey will receive a $500k buyout.

Atlanta was considered likely to bring back Flowers even after signing fellow backstop Kurt Suzuki to a one-year, $3.5 million extension last month. Flowers and Suzuki will once again split duties behind the plate for Atlanta after a successful 2017 campaign.

Flowers, 31, hit .281/.378/.445 with 12 homers in his second campaign with Atlanta in 2017. He underwent an arthroscopic wrist surgery earlier this month but is expected to be ready for spring training.

The decision on Dickey’s option was a bit more complicated for Atlanta, as his inefficiency in his first season with the club cast a doubt on his future in the major leagues. The soon-to-be 43-year old is said to be contemplating retirement, so the Braves’ decision may turn out to be moot after all.

Dickey owned a 4.26 ERA in 31 starts for the Braves after signing a 1-year, $8 million deal following the 2016 campaign.