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

[Carp]

I don't know what they offered or even if they made an offer. My impression is we were the only team willing to do four years.

Then how do you know if we overpaid if you don't know what the other offers were?

What we do know that the Giants were interested in him and if they had reached out to Markakis, they were certainly aware of what his was seeking.

[Metaphysicist]

Then how do you know if we overpaid if you don't know what the other offers were?

My best friend's cousin's niece knows a guy who does the dishes at Octagon; can confirm we had the highest offer.

[nsacpi]

Then how do you know if we overpaid if you don't know what the other offers were?

What we do know that the Giants were interested in him and if they had reached out to Markakis, they were certainly aware of what his was seeking.

I don't base my contention that we overpaid on what I think the offers were. I don't have that information. I actually think we paid something pretty close to the going rate this off-season, something on the order of 9M/projected win. Some contracts have been worse, some have been better. The price we paid is about in the middle of the range.

[BedellBrave]

BJ Surhoff?

By that time, Hinske?

I'm thinking there's a better shot of Markakis wanting to be here than Surhoff or Anderson.

[GovClintonTyree]

Do you see a pattern with those players?

They're all black?

[UNCBlue012]

Trade Justin for Walker and Jones.

That's an instant impact on our rotation and jones can play centerfield.

Resign Boni for the bench and as our primary utility guy along with signing Aoki to man left field. Hold onto Gattis unless we are blown away by an offer. (Though id do Gattis/BJ for Fowler in a split second.)

Lineup:
Aoki LF
Jones CF
Freeman 1B
Gattis C
Markakis RF
Cjoh 3B
Simba SS
Peraza 2B

That's a lineup that COULD be pretty exciting.

Bench:
Boni OF/2B/3B
Gosselin 2B
Doumit OF/1B/C
C-Beth Catcher

Bullpen is pretty solid.

[jpx7]

Then how do you know if we overpaid if you don't know what the other offers were?

Let me get this straight:

-- It doesn't matter what Heyward would have—or most likely will—earn on the open-market, he simply wasn't worth $20-million a year and will be overpaid if/when he receives it.

--Markakis will not be overpaid as long as there might have been equal/higher offers out there for him.

Hm.

[thewupk]

I stopped reading when you said BJ Upton was valuable. Uggla was at the time because he was a legit power hitting right handed batter.

You do know BJ Upton was a better hitter when the Braves signed him than Markakis is right now, right?

[GovClintonTyree]

That mouse is probably in multiple hidden locations.

Like Ninja John Hart, scouting his latest prey.

[GovClintonTyree]

You do know BJ Upton was a better hitter when the Braves signed him than Markakis is right now, right?

Bull****.

[Carp]

Let me get this straight:

-- It doesn't matter what Heyward would have—or most likely will—earn on the open-market, he simply wasn't worth $20-million a year and will be overpaid if/when he receives it.

--Markakis will not be overpaid as long as there might have been equal/higher offers out there for him.

Hm.

That isn't my contention at all. It has been argued that the teams that has been winning recently have placed a strong emphasis on defense. And that Markakis is clearly an inferior defender, which is a main detractor to his WAR valuation. Clearly, the Giants (who have the won most of anyone recently) were interested in Markakis, despite these issues and knowing full well the monetary cost he was likely to demand.

[Gary82]

Bull****.

If we're going strictly by the year before they became a Brave...maybe.

Markakis really doesn't bring much offensive value. His last two years have been disappointing. I just hope he doesn't put up another .085 ISO like he did in 2013. That sure will go along swimmingly with CJ's robust .098 this season.

[rico43]

Let me get this straight:

-- It doesn't matter what Heyward would have—or most likely will—earn on the open-market, he simply wasn't worth $20-million a year and will be overpaid if/when he receives it.

--Markakis will not be overpaid as long as there might have been equal/higher offers out there for him.

Hm.

Market value. Maybe you've heard of it?

[BremanFan88]

Market value. Maybe you've heard of it?

We would of been better off not going to the market.

[jpx7]

Market value. Maybe you've heard of it?

Are you agreeing with me, or did you miss the point of my post?

[thethe]

They're all black?

Haha, no. Most defenders that age well are infielders. Its just hard to play the outfield consistently well as you get older. We will see if Heyward can become a better hitter but its going to be a scary gamble for some team to give him 200-250M dollars.

[yeezus]

Are you agreeing with me, or did you miss the point of my post?

Shaq at the line..missed the point.

[yeezus]

We will be regretting this deal in two years, if not sooner.
We will Heyward's value on defense this year. Nick is good, Heyward is a whole lot better.
I must say I like the overall consistency of his bat. I wish we'd keep JUp now and mix these two types of hitters. Black and white cookie..look to the cookie Elaine.

[thewupk]

Bull****.

Uptons 3 years prior to coming to Atlanta. OPS+ 109

Markakis 3 years prior to coming to Atlanta. OPS+ 105.


Just using two years it's even worse at 111 to 97. BJ Upton was an above average hitter with ok defense at a position of need in his prime and he fell apart. Markakis is an average hitter with poor defense in his 30s. What are the odds he falls apart?

The Braves went after leadership and makeup and not actual talent. It's going to bite them in the ass.

[steveAKAslick]

Markakis is an average hitter with poor defense in his 30s. What are the odds he falls apart?


I like the fact that maybe they are going after guys that actually make consistent contact ala the Giants...I would trade all the power hitters in the world for eight guys that can consistenly get on base and play small ball...I'm not gonna crap on this signing yet, just gonna wait and see how it plays out...and Markakis has POOR defense?!?!?!