The Atlanta Braves have already gotten off to a torrid start in this offseason by signing the likes of Will Smith, Cole Hamels and Travis d’Arnaud from the open market.
They also re-signed Chris Martin, Darren O’Day and Nick Markakis. The Markakis extension is a good baseball move on paper, but only if you view him as a viable replacement option and full time bench player. However, as it has become apparent in recent seasons, Markakis is all but guaranteed to be hitting fifth (or fourth) if he is on the roster. He also will draw 150-162 starts if healthy at the ripe age of 36.