Braves sniffing around on Markakis; Official 4 years 44 million.

[The Chosen One]

I'm going to get to watch Nick Markakis and Christian Bethancourt.

Trade CB with Gattis and give Laird multi-year deal?

[zbhargrove]

For the record, potential better options: Colby Rasmus on a one or two-year make-good contract, Michael Saunders from the M's, especially since the Jays just got him for Generic Soft-Tossing Lefty 7A. If you start the "what-if" conversation before the Heyward trade, either one is fine to play center instead of BJ. If you start the conversation after the Heyward trade, either one is a better investment for right field than Markakis. Hell, even after the Heyward trade you can pick up both and make a real high-upside run at 2015.

A lineup with Freeman, Upton, Gattis, Heyward and Rasmus/Saunders, with a Teheran-Wood-Minor top of the rotation can do some serious damage. Instead, we're going to win somewhere between 78 and 84 games next year. And instead of getting to watch Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis, I'm going to get to watch Nick Markakis and Christian Bethancourt.

Nothing Saunders or Rasmus has done lately is a significant difference. Rasmus is already in a hitter friendly park and has had only one good year in the recent past (2013 with an absurd BABIP of .356 compared to his .296 career BABIP)... Markakis is by far the better player when compared with Rasmus. Saunders is the one harder to quantify. He's played in a pitchers park his whole career and could be a better offensive player than his numbers suggest... that being said, the only year he's been a full time player for the whole year was 2012 where he didn't do so hot. He's a career .681 OPS player who's only decent year was last year in only 231 at-bats... not really any difference... and I think Markakis is the better option with the more proven track record. I would hardly call them better options.

[Dalyn]

Uggla was an excellent hitter when we got him.

[dak]

Spending in the free agent market in the middle tier and above usually sucks from a value perspective. When all is said and done, this move will probably be middle-of-the-road as compared to other FA deals across the league. I think we could have done better, but realistically not way better given our criteria. Can't wait to see what's next.

[blueagleace1]

Just another tidbit on Markakis... he hasn't committed an error since August 10, 2012.

[Dalyn]

Just another tidbit on Markakis... he hasn't committed an error since August 10, 2012.

Nice!

[The Chosen One]

Just another tidbit on Markakis... he hasn't committed an error since August 10, 2012.

Can't commit an error if you can't get to the ball.

[Heyward]

For the record, potential better options: Colby Rasmus on a one or two-year make-good contract, Michael Saunders from the M's, especially since the Jays just got him for Generic Soft-Tossing Lefty 7A. If you start the "what-if" conversation before the Heyward trade, either one is fine to play center instead of BJ. If you start the conversation after the Heyward trade, either one is a better investment for right field than Markakis. Hell, even after the Heyward trade you can pick up both and make a real high-upside run at 2015.

A lineup with Freeman, Upton, Gattis, Heyward and Rasmus/Saunders, with a Teheran-Wood-Minor top of the rotation can do some serious damage. Instead, we're going to win somewhere between 78 and 84 games next year. And instead of getting to watch Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis, I'm going to get to watch Nick Markakis and Christian Bethancourt.

And lose in the WC game, watch JUstin/Jason walk for nothing instead?

[skillet]

Well the Mariners just traded their right fielder for a pitcher, and we just signed a right fielder... Justin for Walker??

[nsacpi]

The thing about Markakis that makes this a safe bet is that he's simply a good overall hitter, unlike BJ or Uggla. Even in his bad 2013 season, he still managed a .270 average and a .329 OBP. While those aren't eye popping #'s, those are still above average for basically any position. Sure the power is pedestrian, but we can still work with a .329 OBP even if that is worst we could expect. Even if you are the gloomiest of posters and you believe this is the sort of production we should expect, then it's still nothing compared to the Uggla and BJ level of suckitude,

The proposition that hitters with good control over the strike zone age better is an interesting one. Has any research been done on this?

Anecdotally, I can think of some scary counterexamples. Shin-Soo Choo for example.

[Dalyn]

The proposition that hitters with good control over the strike zone age better is an interesting one. Has any research been done on this?

Anecdotally, I can think of some scary counterexamples. Shin-Soo Choo for example.

Uggla tied with Votto for the NL lead in walks in 2012.

[BremanFan88]

Just another tidbit on Markakis... he hasn't committed an error since August 10, 2012.

Severe lack of range will do that...

[Dalyn]

[zbhargrove]

Uggla tied with Votto for the NL lead in walks in 2012.

Uggla never had a problem with walking...

[The Chosen One]

Uggla never had a problem with walking...

Except 2013 second half and 2014 when his walks were non existent.

[zbhargrove]

Uggla tied with Votto for the NL lead in walks in 2012.

I'd also argue that Uggla never was that great of a hitter for us... even in his best year he was still only a .763 (and was only that high because of 36 homers)... that's far from bad, but a far cry from his .877 number from a year before.

[zbhargrove]

Except 2013 second half and 2014 when his walks were non existent.

2013 he was on the exact same pace as 2012... just less plate appearances... 2014 is useless to judge in a season with only 130 at bats

[thewupk]

And lose in the WC game, watch JUstin/Jason walk for nothing instead?

Because losing in the WC is guaranteed right? No way the team can win in the WC like the Royals or Giants did and make it to the world series. 0% chance of that happening.

[Dalyn]

I'd also argue that Uggla never was that great of a hitter for us... even in his best year he was still only a .763 (and was only that high because of 36 homers)... that's far from bad, but a far cry from his .877 number from a year before.

He was a great hitter for half a season with us, but that's it. He was an excellent hitter BEFORE getting here.

[BremanFan88]

Maybe it's a coincidence but the OF sure is going to look different next year with Justin, BJ, and Heyward being shown the door. Gattis in LF, the new white CF we find(possibly latin because it's close enough), and not Jason Heyward in RF.