Atlanta Braves Could Bring Back Nick Markakis in 2019
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves will have a key free agent at the end of the 2018 season in Nick Markakis. Could the Braves opt to bring back Markakis in 2019?
Watching the Atlanta Braves this season there have been many pleasant surprises with none being better then the season Nick Markakis is having. Nick is hitting .323 with 121 hits and over 60 runs driven in coming into today’s action.
A resurgent season from the thirty-four-year-old veteran. A season good enough for the Braves to consider bringing back Markakis next season.
While there were suggestions of trading Nick at the start of the season all of those ideas have quickly faded away with the outfielders’ performance.
Markakis never seems to waste a chance at the plate. He comes to bat with a grinding approach putting the ball in play and working counts.
Signing Nick to an extension could be a wise investment for a team who is proving they can win with the veteran helping lead the way.
Competing for postseason play the Braves have a very young core. A core with a leader in Nick who leads by example.
Having a leader like Nick cemented in the outfield another season would allow the Braves to chase a big free agent to add to the pitching staff or in the infield with third base being a hole for the team.
Looking at the big names hitting the market this off-season a veteran like Nick could likely be signed to an affordable deal if he is willing to stay in Atlanta for another season.
Hitting behind Freddie Freeman has certainly allowed him many key chances, chances he seems to always come through in.
Next: Braves Free Agent Targets
Markakis is defying father time having a resurgence with the new crop of Baby Braves announcing their presence in the National League. It is time for the front office to make the right move and extend Markakis for another season in Atlanta.