ATLANTA — R. A. Dickey chuckled at the idea of not being the Atlanta Braves’ oldest starting pitcher next season. Dickey, 42, must concede that distinction to Bartolo Colon, 43.

“I gave myself the nickname ‘Little Ugly,’” Dickey said Friday, playing off Colon’s nickname. “Big Sexy and Little Ugly are going to be leading it on.”

Colon and Dickey recently agreed to one-year contracts, each with a team option for 2018. The Braves insist their unorthodox moves show how serious they are about contending again for a postseason spot.

The major target of their rebuilding plan was the starting rotation. That’s where Colon and Dickey come in, giving the Braves two players who can eat up innings and mentor younger pitchers without requiring the sort of long-term commitment that might block the path of several top prospects.