By: TJ Hartnett

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Nick Markakis’ four-year stint in an Atlanta uniform was a consistently solid one.

For a guy who came in on the wrong side of 30 and replaced hometown hero Jason Heyward in right field, he managed to endear himself to Braves Country. He did that by staying on the field, playing Gold Glove defense, filling any spot in the lineup he was needed to fill, and being a veteran clubhouse leader.

Markakis finished up his four-year contract ($11 million per year to produce a far superior run than Heyward has been having for $23 million, I might add) with a stellar campaign that saw him earn his first-ever All-Star selection (a starter, no less) along with his first Silver Slugger and third Gold Glove.

When the season came to a close, it seemed like the Woodstock native would move on to another team as the Braves cast a wider net to fill his roster spot with a power hitter. Besides, after a career year, Markakis would likely be able to net a 3-year deal and the Braves probably wouldn’t want to offer him such a contract.

Then the Braves surprised the world and signed Josh Donaldson, who will play third base and serve as the protection for Freddie Freeman. Atlanta has only sporadically provided that over the past few years.

This meant that the hole in right field needn’t be filled by a 25+ home run player. Then the New Year passed, most of January, and the outfield market that seemed to be waiting for Bryce Harper to sign somewhere just didn’t move.

Michael Brantley had signed a contract earlier in the offseason, but the top free agents remain unsigned and possibly impatient.

I admit I didn’t have a clue where the Braves were going to go to fill right field for next season. Markakis resigning was always a possibility. He is loved by the fanbase and well-liked by the players and the organization but given the season he had it just seemed unlikely that he’d fit into the Braves financial and long-term plans.

Imagine my surprise when I see the headline that Markakis was returning to the Braves on a one-year, $6 million-dollar contract (with an option for 2020).

I was sufficiently shocked, but also delighted. Markakis’ performance had earned him far more money, if not years, but a slow market or a desire to continue playing in Atlanta (likely a combination of both) led to a heavily discounted contract being agreed upon.

In addition to getting a solid and respected player for at worst his age 35 and 36 seasons (as opposed to having to take on his age 37 and/or 38 seasons), the Braves also spent so little money that there is still room in the budget for a bigger splash between now and July 31^st.

Part of me suspects that Markakis sent his agent to the negotiating table with the mandate that he’d take less money if Alex Anthopoulos uses the excess funds to find pitching help.

Another nice piece to Markakis’ return is the role he’ll need to play. After spending a year-and-a-half hitting cleanup, not a natural spot in the batting order for a player of his type, he’ll be able to relinquish that role to Donaldson and slide into either the five or two holes. This will stretch the lineup and make it more dangerous (for proof, look at the team’s offensive output in the second half of 2017, when Matt Kemp took over batting fourth). It’s a better spot for Markakis and also protects the team from being hurt if/when he eventually shows his age.

It’s a good signing that opens up possibilities for Atlanta without rocking the status quo of what worked in 2018.