Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop 12/3
By Jeff Schafer
Nick Markakis had dinner in Monkton on Monday with Braves manager
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Braves are making a strong push for the 31-year-old. Markakis has spent his entire career in Baltimore but grew up in Georgia, went to high school in the state and went to junior college at Young Harris. The Orioles were close to resigning him back in October for a rumored 4-year deal worth between $10 and $12 million annually.
"Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez and other team representatives were in Maryland on Monday and had dinner with Markakis at a Monkton restaurant Monday night, according to a source. It appeared to be more of a get-to-know-you session than negotiations, the source said. John Hart, the Braves’ new president, apparently was not there.“We’re still working on that,” Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said. “It’s in process for the Orioles. That doesn’t surprise me that (other) teams are interested.”"
Atlanta Braves Executive: Jon Lester Might Be ‘Right Guy, Wrong Time’
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: We know the Braves aren’t going to get into a bidding war with other teams over starting pitcher Jon Lester but some of us are still holding on for that “hometown discount”. Still an extreme long shot that Lester comes to Atlanta but we can’t rule it out until he signs elsewhere. I think Hart realizes he’s the right pitcher for the Braves but the budget just doesn’t allow him to make this signing.
"The Braves recently met with Lester as the left-hander continues to weigh his options in free agency. However, Braves president of baseball operations John Hart said over the weekend that it’s hard to imagine Atlanta entering into a bidding war for Lester’s services despite the club’s interest in the three-time All-Star.“We’re going to examine everything that we think makes sense. The one guy that we have discussed, and we actually met with Jon Lester in Atlanta,” Hart said Sunday on MLB Network Radio. “He’s a guy that we’ve obviously liked for some time. He actually resides (in Atlanta). His wife is from the area. They have a beautiful home in Atlanta. And we thought it was worthwhile to meet with Jon. We were able to free up a few dollars. But again, I think one of the things you guys well understand is the dynamic of some of the dollars are not real productive for us, at least at this stage."
The Atlanta Braves do not need to add Nick Markakis
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: It humorous to watch twitter or surf the web these days…fans across the Nation are bashing John Hart and praising him all at the same time. If he doesn’t make a move, people scream, when he does make a move, please yell louder. Every move he makes there are haters and lovers…I guess that comes with the job title. In this instance, it’s Nick Markakis. It seemed mixed last night over fans of his or not. Lets let Hart and the front office make the decision…I’m positive it will be the correct choice.
"Markakis is a pretty good player, but he is a wee bit overrated. Over the last three seasons (2012 through 2014), he has compiled the 66th-best fWAR at 4.0 among outfielders. Right above him is Drew Stubbs (4.2 fWAR) and right below him is Justin Ruggiano (3.9 fWAR). Now, Stubbs and Ruggiano are not bad players, but they are not players who will receive $30 to 50 million on the open market on a three-to-five year deal; like the former O’s outfielder almost certainly will at some point this offseason. Yet, there is a strong case to be made that Stubbs was actually the better player over the past three seasons — at least based on fWAR.Defensive metrics, sans last season, have been “unkind” to Markakis. When I say that what I am really saying is Orioles fans view the left-handed hitter as a Gold Glove right fielder while somewhat objective defensive metrics detest that notion. Personally, I believe he is not as bad on defense as the metrics suggest, but I do think there are people who are watching him through clouded Orioles-colored glasses and refuse to see the reality conspicuously in front of them: Nick Markakis is not a great defensive player."