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Should Braves pick up options for Tyler Flowers and Nick Markakis?

By Jake Mastroianni

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 4: Tyler Flowers #25 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Nick Markakis #22 after scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on June 4, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 4: Tyler Flowers #25 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Nick Markakis #22 after scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on June 4, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 13: Nick  Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves hits a sacrifice fly against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 13: Nick  Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves hits a sacrifice fly against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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I feel the exact opposite way about Nick Markakis than I do about Flowers. Markakis has been great for the Atlanta Braves and is a fantastic player.

Having said that, I think his time as a starting outfielder for the Atlanta Braves is over.

Remember the last offseason when we all were hoping the Braves would make a big splash for an outfielder — someone like Michael Brantley, Andrew McCutchen, or Mitch Haniger (trade)?

Yea, well, that didn’t happen. And in the end, I think it cost the Braves.

Markakis is a great baseball player, but he doesn’t bring the type of bat that strikes fear into the opposing pitcher.

In fact, 2018 is the only season in the past four in which Markakis had a positive offensive WAR, according to FanGraphs.

There are just too many attractive names out there this offseason that the Braves could get for just a little more money that would make the lineup a lot scarier.

light. Related Story. Potential outfield targets

I still would not be surprised if the Braves pick up the $6 million option for Markakis and use him as a bench bat.

They could also look to trade both Flowers and Markakis if they are able to find upgrades during the offseason.

Next. Are the available pitchers worth it?. dark

In the end, I think the Atlanta Braves will pick up the options for both Markakis and Flowers. But I don’t expect either of them to be starters for the Braves in 2020.

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