Atlanta Braves Five Trades They Should Make Before Spring Training
By Kit Anderson
2. Trade Nick Markakis and Finish the Rebuild
From the start the Atlanta Braves decision to bring Nick Markakis on board has been a bit of a head scratcher. Markakis was brought on and highly paid at a time the Braves were trading all other Major League talent away from their roster.
While it could have been a move to appease the fans or simply a lack of conviction on the rebuild it was an odd decision that the Braves have benefitted from. Markakis has been a class act both on the field and off the field.
Why trade such a player? Very simple, his large salary and declining ability in right field. Along with his lack of power and increased strikeout rate make Markakis a good trade candidate. Sending Markakis to another team wouldn’t hurt the Braves chances of competing either.
It has become very clear that 2018 should be the final chapter of the rebuild a year that the Braves evaluate their prospects, sell their team to future free agents, and most importantly learn how to win. Nick Markakis has been a big part of the Braves but it is time to move on from the veteran outfielder.
Possible Returns: Much like the trade before it, this would likely have to be a salary dump for the Braves in a large outfield market. Trading Markakis for a bullpen arm or lower rotation option would be the most likely scenario. The Blue Jays have reportedly asked about Markakis though their interest has cooled.