What Can We Expect In Right Field For The Atlanta Braves In 2016
By Jeff Schafer
The outfield for the Atlanta Braves took a complete transformation in 2015 on opening day then it was in 2014. A solid outfield on paper in 2014 with Justin Upton, B.J. Upton and Jason Heyward recently hovered the outfield for the Braves. Opening day in 2015 we had Eric Young, Kelly Johnson and Nick Markakis…eww.
Now heading into 2016, the Braves will get another shake up. But it doesn’t come without question marks as we sit in late December.
Left field – huge questions. Does Hector Olivera shift to left and stabilize that position? Will the Braves bring in a veteran outfield? Does Michael Bourn have a chance here with a solid Spring Training?
Center field – this spot should be a guarantee with Ender Inciarte…but what if all these trade rumors come to fruition? Though I see Inciarte in a Braves uniform, Atlanta could be blown away by a team looking for a very good center fielder.
Right field – Markakis…right?
Let’s take a look…but before we do this, get your tissues out because I found this JHey quote from Grant Bisbee of SBNation.com.
"“According to WAR, Jason Heyward has been better than Buster Posey since coming into the league. Better than Alex Gordon, Evan Longoria, and Ryan Braun. Better than Giancarlo Stanton and Dustin Pedroia. He’s been more than twice as valuable as Pablo Sandoval, Prince Fielder, and Chris Davis. According to the stats we have at our fingertips, Heyward is a superstar.”"
Heyward signed with the Chicago Cubs with a huge eight year contract. The same amount of years former teammate and good friend Freddie Freeman received from the Braves…eight years $135 million. Heyward got eight years $184 million.
Late in December, here is what the Braves currently have in right field.
It is the Nick Show in right field.
In 2015, Markakis played his first season in the National League, after playing his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles in the American League. He’s won two Gold Glove awards in 2011 and 2014.
In 2015, Markakis had 612 at-bats, with 181 hits and a .296 batting average. He hit three homeruns and had 53 RBI’s, with an OBP of .370. He also scored 73 runs for the Braves. His power numbers were extremely down from his career totals after having offseason neck surgery. He should regain strength this offseason and be able to contribute more.
During the 2015 season, Swisher had a batting average of .196, compiling 43 hits in 219 at-bats. He had six homeruns, with 25 RBI’s and scored 14 runs. He did have an OBP of .312.
Trade rumors have swirled around this offseason about the Braves trading Markakis. This is probably the worst time to trade the 32-year-old. I say this because he had a down season in 2015 and still regaining his strength from last years surgery.
What I do believe happens is that the Braves trade Markakis in July before the MLB trade deadline. What he could bring in return is a right-handed Triple-A hitter who is close to being ready, but a playoff contending team needs to win now. That playoff hopefully team will give up their youngster for a proven veteran hitter with great defense…Nick Markakis.
For the start of 2016, Markakis will be our everyday outfielder. By September 2016, that could be a different story.