The Atlanta Braves were poised to spend big money in 2020. Obviously things hadn't worked out exactly as planned, but some of the planning done for that actually ended up working out well for a player no longer with the team.
Rewind to the end of the 2019 campaign. That season is done. Nick Markakis is in contractual limbo for a few days.
He has an option on his deal with Atlanta, one that would pay him $6 million in 2020. If the team decides to go in another direction, they would owe him a $2 million buyout of that option.