Rumors have been spiraling for the past few days and has now come to a reality. The Atlanta Braves have made it official, they have signed outfielder Nick Markakis to a 4-year deal worth $44 million dollars.
Source: OF Nick Markakis agrees to four-year deal with Atlanta Braves. Dollars unclear, but sides discussed a deal in neighborhood of $44M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 3, 2014
The 31-year-old will be inserted into the Braves lineup as the primary right fielder and possibly the leadoff man. He helped the Baltimore Orioles to 96 wins in 2014, first place in the AL East at seasons end and they won the ALDS versus the Detroit Tigers. They were later eliminated by the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS.
Talks with the Braves intensified late afternoon on Wednesday and evidentially they got the pen ink on the paper.
Markakis hit in three different sports in the Orioles lineup…leadoff, second and third in the lineup. MLB Network believes he fits very well in the second spot.
With many strikeouts in 2014 (and 2013) it looks like John Hart has gotten his man with Markakis as an around .300 hitter who plays everyday and could be a good clubhouse leader.
Does this signing mean Justin Upton or Evan Gattis may not be with the Braves in 2015? Probably a good chance one of these gets dealt.