The Atlanta Braves signed a familiar face as they have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Nick Markakis. The deal promises Markakis a $4MM salary for the upcoming season as well as a club option for 2020 valued at $6MM. If the option is declined by Atlanta then they owe Markakis a $2MM buyout which essentially makes this contract either a one-year $6MM deal or a two-year $10MM deal.
Markakis, 35, had a spectacular year last year as he was elected to his first All-Star game of his 13-year career as well as winning his first Silver Slugger award and third Gold Glove award. Drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft, 7th overall by the Baltimore Orioles, Markakis has been an extremely reliable player over the course of his big league career. He has led his league 10 times in Defensive Games Played in right field as well as being the the All-Time career leader in Fielding Percentage by a right fielder with an impressive .994% making only 26 errors over 17,238.1 innings. Markakis is obviously known more for what he can do in the field then his bat, although he did have a .297 batting average last season and owns a respectable lifetime .288 average.
The Braves had an opening in right field after Markakis previous 4-year contract wrapped up at the end of last season and what better person to fill that void then Markakis himself. It appears that Markakis had other muti-year contract offers worth more guaranteed money on the table but chose to return to Atlanta. With the Braves surprisingly winning the NL East last season and still on the rise it makes sense that the veteran would want to return. As for Atlanta, it sounds like they may end up platooning Markakis in right field this year with mid season acquisition, and right handed hitter, Adam Duvall as the other two outfield position are taken by center fielder Ender Inciarte and left field rookie sensation Ronald Acuna Jr. Either way Markakis is a welcomed addition and a veteran presence in an otherwise youthful roster.
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