WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 12: Will Smith #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches for the length of a baseball game in opposition to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Photos)
Aug 6, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves licensed fielder Carve Markakis (22) celebrates after a bolt-off dwelling jog with relief pitcher Sign Melancon (36) and catcher Travis d’Arnaud (16) in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Crucial Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports actions
The Atlanta Braves would be energetic this offseason and payroll is no longer in line to be a problem, nonetheless these three gamers stand out as overpaid.
The Atlanta Braves reached the NLCS for the major time since 2001 this year. They fell merely short of the World Series, losing in seven games to the eventual champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Having a investigate cross-test to 2021, the Braves are among the many groups that would possibly well maybe delight in a case for a significant transfer or two this offseason. Money is no longer lined up to be a indispensable be concerned, with $89.9 million in currently projected payroll (by Spotrac, with arbitration projections incorporated). A commerce for Kris Bryant or a jog at George Springer in free company is means, with Marcell Ozuna’s imaginable departure for a multi-year deal in numerous places leaving a void in the lineup.
A glimpse at the Braves’ payroll for 2021 reveals two gamers making over $10 million subsequent year-first baseman Freddie Freeman and reliever Will Smith. So relatively a couple of alternate options would possibly well maybe maybe also furthermore be on the desk, and GM Alex Anthopoulos has no longer been timorous to achieve moves with a employ-now window in thoughts.
The Braves don’t need to offload cash to open the door to what would be an energetic offseason. They would possibly well maybe merely re-signal Ozuna and one other interior free agents, and jog it assist relatively significant as-is subsequent year. But listed below are three overpaid gamers they ought to investigate cross-test to piece ways with this offseason.
3.
Carve Markakis
OF, Free Agent
It’s laborious to name someone who made $4 million closing year overpaid. Markakis in the muse opted out of the 2020 season, which no one criticized. But he reversed course and determined to play, then delivered mediocre results (.254/.312/.392 slash-line, one dwelling jog, 15 RBI over 141 plate appearances).
Markakis is microscopic more than a mid-grade left-handed bat and additional outfielder at this stage of his profession. Even with the individuality of the 2020 advertising and marketing and marketing campaign to expose, he’s no longer too a long way removed from a keen 2018 season (.297, 43 doubles, 93 RBI), Markakis is hitting free company with an unclear market that puts retirement into the conversation.
Markakis returned to his native Georgia to play for the Braves. But that novelty story is six seasons in now, no longer to expose historic with declining results. The Braves ought to ruin no longer delight in any distress aiming higher to comprise the identical position.
