If we're looking broadly at the current market for outfielders in baseball then I believe a decent case can be made that the Braves signed Markakis at-value. Where I draw pause is at the question of whether or not this acquisition was ultimately necessary, given the team's position to contend in 2015. If Hart were to keep Justin Upton around Markakis would be a welcome addition at the top of the order and a palatable substitution for Heyward -- especially if you are choosing to accept the assertion that he was demanding $25MM from Atlanta.
However, seeing as how the Braves appear to have no real intention of keeping J. Upton we have to treat Markakis as an integral addition to the roster. And he just isn't - that's not an attack, just an honest assessment of the skills he brings to the table at this stage of his career. I accept that he will help unite the clubhouse and embody consistency across the board, but, again, at a real premium cost to an organization that is resource deficient.
