Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey agrees to join Braves

R.A. Dickey took the recommendation of a fellow knuckleballer and agreed to pitch next season for the Atlanta Braves.

Dickey, 42, was sold on the move to Atlanta by Hall of Famer and former Braves pitcher Phil Niekro, who he said is part of the "Jedi council of knuckleballers."

Niekro and another Hall of Famer, former Braves manager Bobby Cox, plus manager Brian Snitker and General Manager John Coppolella met with Dickey in Nashville, Tenn., where Dickey grew up and still lives with his wife and four children. Dickey said the short travel distance — "3 hours, 15 minutes from doorstep to doorstep" — to Atlanta was a big factor.

Dickey becomes the first of the 157 free agents to switch teams this offseason. He gets a $7.5 million salary next year, and the Braves have an $8 million option for 2018 with a $500,000 buyout.

Dickey spent the past four seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, going 10-15 with a 4.46 ERA this year.

Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera and Boston designated hitter David Ortiz won their seventh Silver Slugger Awards, voted by managers and coaches as the best offensive producers at their positions.

The other winners in the American League: catcher Salvador Perez (Royals), second baseman Jose Altuve (Astros), third baseman Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays), shortstop Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox), outfielders Mookie Betts (Red Sox), Mike Trout (Angels) and Mark Trumbo (Orioles).