Braves1976 (12-04-2014), Hawk (12-04-2014), Julio3000 (12-04-2014), zitothebrave (12-04-2014)
I think BP pretty much summed up the Markakis signing perfectly in their transaction analysis:
"But the Braves don’t have an outfielder among their top 10 prospects, unless you count Braxton Davidson, who is 18 years old and already described as “on the clumsy side” with “below-average speed.” Markakis provides certainty in a sense—he gives the Braves a corner outfielder for this year, freeing them to shop Upton or Gattis; he gives them a corner outfielder for the next four years, filling in where a top prospect won’t. He’s disaster insurance. It’s just that, as teams have been finding out with multi-year contracts forever, there’s no guarantee that the disaster isn’t the one you sign."
I'm sure this "disaster insurance" will be dead salary weight in the second half of the deal, but I think it was a solid move all around. I still would have preferred Aoki for 2-3 years at ~$8M-$9M per year though.
jpx7 (12-04-2014), UNCBlue012 (12-04-2014)
I think Aoki is going to produce identical numbers to Markakis over the next few years. Considering he will likely be signed for fewer years and fewer dollars per year, yes, he would have been preferable.
Someone has to play OF for the Braves, but that someone didn't have to be signed for 4 years during their decline.
Also: solidarity.
CyYoung31 (12-04-2014), holden (12-04-2014), jpx7 (12-04-2014), Metaphysicist (12-05-2014)
The Atlanta Braves signed Nick Markakis for 4/45 - Never forget 12/3/2014
"Klay Thompson > James Harden" - Heyward
"Chris Bosh is the MVP of the Miami Heat" - Heyward
"Hibbert is better than Dwight Howard"- Heyward
"Steven Adams will be a top 10 center in two years - thethe
Rosy-fingered Mukaki; glove-gilded, semi-swift.
NinersSBChamps (12-05-2014)
turn out the lights, boys. we're dunzo.
I'm not sure why so many are saying Markakis is regressing. He was a good bit better in 2014 than he was in 2013, in fact his 2014 WAR was the second best year he's had in the past 5.
And for those advocating Aoki, he is regressing. He has steadily gotten worse each of the past three years.
Deester11 (12-05-2014), NinersSBChamps (12-05-2014)