If 2020 was indeed Nick Markakis’ final ride with the Atlanta Braves, he will be leaving town after what has been his most complicated year with the team.
The Braves picked up Markakis’ 2020 option less than a week after the 2019 season ended, a decision which elated some and baffled others. In terms of his 0.4 fWAR in 2019, Markakis was coming off his worst year as a Brave - he slashed a respectable .285/.356/.420 with 102 wRC+, but his defensive shortcomings torpedoed his overall value. Needless to say, the Braves must have really valued his veteran leadership to bring him back after a year like that.