House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: interpreting GM Speak

By Alan Carpenter

TUGGERAH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 08: Close up of the microphones and desk before the press conference on August 8, 2018 in Tuggerah, Australia. The Central Coast Mariners confirmed that 100-metre world record holder Usain Bolt has committed to an indefinite training period with the club, with the aim to develop the 'world's fasted man' into a professional footballer. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
TUGGERAH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 08: Close up of the microphones and desk before the press conference on August 8, 2018 in Tuggerah, Australia. The Central Coast Mariners confirmed that 100-metre world record holder Usain Bolt has committed to an indefinite training period with the club, with the aim to develop the 'world's fasted man' into a professional footballer. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves sits in the dugout waiting to take batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves sits in the dugout waiting to take batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

On Current Players

So no – he didn’t specifically say the words that Markakis is not under consideration to be re-signed for another year… but he might as well have.

In a follow-up answer, he tried to back-pedal on that:  “I’m saying right now (Markakis) is not under contract; I’m just stating the obvious. I don’t mean to imply that (he’s gone).”

Yeah… sure.

There was more that sounded like a kid trying to explain in great detail about how his homework was really done and how he planned to bring it to class, but then something happened and it could be here soon, but for now it just wasn’t with him and maybe it could be soon.

“But we’d be happy to have both (Markakis and Kurt Suzuki) back.”

In my thinking, a reunion with Suzuki is plausible.  But probably not Markakis.  Anthopoulos is looking to upgrade the team in any manner he can.  The idea of inking an aging outfielder with a good glove and great clubhouse presence – but little power – is probably not what he envisioned.

  • Kurt Suzuki.  I gave my opinion on catchers just the other day, so I won’t regurgitate the message, but the market itself could demand that Atlanta return to Suzuki.

There are few free agent catchers out there to get and fewer trade candidates that could get one’s attention.

Let talk about one of the latter…

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