Atlanta Braves’ Nick Markakis: “It’s all B.S.”
After spending nine years as the Baltimore Orioles’ starting right fielder, new Atlanta Brave Nick Markakis is ticked off at his former team.
As per Bob Nightengale, the former Oriole had this to say about the O’s:
"“Don’t believe a word they say, It was all because of my neck, they can say what they want to make them look good. Don’t believe anything they say. It’s all B.S.”"
Markakis is clearly miffed about not being able to end his career in Baltimore. the quote is in reference to his departure due to an injured neck, but one can’t help wonder if the Orioles’ front office handles some of its business in less than normally unsympathetic ways.
Flashing back to the offseason prior to the 2014, the Orioles backed out of contracts with reliever Grant Balfour and outfielder Tyler Colvin due to medical issues. This felt fishy at the time because it happened for undisclosed reasons. Both players were very upset with the Orioles afterwards.
I can’t help but think that maybe the Orioles’ front office believed they did not need or want Markakis, so they let him go without putting up much of an effort to work something out with him. Markakis may have also thought that after being an Oriole for so long, that the club should have gave him a better offer.
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I think that the Orioles had no intention of bringing back Markakis at all, but to save face with their fans (Markakis was a fan favorite), they put out false information that made it look like the Orioles tried to keep him. I don’t really blame the Orioles though, as Markakis has been in a decline since his best years earlier on his career. He has apparently been dealing with a bulging disc issue in his neck for a while now.
While many Orioles fans are upset by Markakis’ words, former teammate Adam Jones praises the normally quiet Markakis’ statements, saying “I’m glad he said something”. However, Jones does not think Markakis has any hard feelings towards Baltimore, adding that “no, he’s moved on. He understood it’s a business and moved on,” in reference to him signing with Atlanta.
Either way, Markakis is now a Brave after signing a four-year, $44 million contract with them. He added the following to display his current situation: “… things work out the way they do for a reason, right?” Only time will tell, Nick.