Atlanta Braves: Could Michael Brantley Replace Nick Markakis This Off-season?
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves are tasked with the tough job of replacing Nick Markakis this off-season. Could Michael Brantley be the answer, for a Braves team full of young talent?
Michael Brantley and the Atlanta Braves have seemingly been linked since the start of the off-season. Yet there seems to be a lack of valid rumors to report, with most being pure speculation on the media’s part.
Still, the move makes far too much sense for both sides. Brantley is looking for a long-term deal and the Braves could use a long-term answer in the outfield.
The problem with this deal is obvious, however, Brantley is injury prone and seems unable to stay on the field.
He is a career .295 hitter and when he can stay on the field is one of the better hitters in the League. That fact makes him tempting to a team like the Braves who have a depth at almost every position.
Bringing in Brantley on a 3-4 year deal would give the team another solid hitter to put in an already stacked lineup.
The question for the Braves will be, are they willing to bet on Brantley staying healthy a full season? It is worrisome to give an expensive contract to a player who seems unable to produce consistently.
He does bring even more flexibility to the Braves roster, however, offering the ability to play all three outfield positions and first base.
If the Braves are willing to gamble on a player Brantley is a wise choice. Nick Markakis is a solid fallback option if Brantley’s price remains out of the Braves range.
It wouldn’t be out of the question to attempt to sign both outfielders, platooning and playing matchups much as the Dodgers did this past season.
Having a deep team seems to be high on the Braves priority list. Signing more than one outfielder is an option for a team with a lot of questions in right field.
Michael Brantley is an interesting option, one the Braves could get as their missing piece, or a player who has trouble staying on the field and would be a swing and a miss signing for a team so close to postseason contention.