Braves not planning on extending qualifying offer to Nick Markakis, per report

The Atlanta Braves will face a number of offseason questions and one of those will be whether or not to bring back outfielder Nick Markakis. Markakis is a free agent and is coming off of a banner season but seemed to wear down as the season progressed. However, he will be entering his age-35 season and the Braves may seek an upgrade.

Fancred’s Jon Heyman reported on Thursday that the Braves are not planning on extending the $17.9 million qualifying offer to Markakis which would tie draft pick compensation for the Braves should he sign elsewhere. Heyman goes on to point out budget constraints as the reason for not extending an offer but that doesn’t make a lot of sense.

If the Braves extended the offer to Markakis then he would have to think hard about accepting it. He will no doubt be looking for a multi-year deal but he may, given his age, have a hard time finding that much money somewhere else. A shorter deal to return to Atlanta seems possible but only after the Braves are finished exploring upgrade options.