Can the 2015 Braves replicate the 1991 Braves?

Similarity One: Veteran Offseason Signing

1991: A seemingly mediocre third baseman that had never hit better than .286 or hit more than 13 home runs would not strike anyone as a major signing in any offseason. Yet, that was exactly what Terry Pendleton was. He went on to win the 1991 NL MVP and led the National League in hits in 1991 and 1992. He was exactly the hitter the Braves needed in their lineup, a high contact guy with solid power production from a typically power position like third base. His signing was arguably the single most important move that the Braves made coming into the 1991 season.

2015: A local boy who seemed past his prime and coming off of injury, Nick Markakis seemed nothing like the prime guy to sign this offseason. Many Braves fans were outraged by the signing for seemingly too many years and too much money, especially to play a typically power position like right field. That said, he brings a lot more track record of offensive production than Pendleton had when he arrived in Atlanta. He hasn’t hit 20+ home runs since 2008, which was the last season he hit .300+ as well. He’s entering his age 31 season, so one year older than Pendleton was when he arrived in Atlanta, but Markakis provided a similar amount of offensive value as Jason Heyward in 2014, and he’s certainly not at the end of his ability by any means yet.