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Braves trade rumors: Orioles may have interest in Nick Markakis

The sides could match up on a deal that would send Markakis back to Baltimore after a year with the Braves.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves are known to be shopping their outfielders this offseason, and Nick Markakis may be on the move. According to recent reports from Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com and David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Orioles may have interest in pursuing a reunion with Markakis, who left Baltimore and signed with the Braves last offseason.

Baltimore is known to be looking for outfield help this offseason due to the potential departures of Gerardo Parra and Chris Davis, and is thought to be casting a wide net in its search. Markakis is due to earn $33 million over the next three seasons as part of the four-year deal he signed with Atlanta last offseason, so Baltimore could avoid paying a high prospect cost by agreeing to take on that contract in a deal with Atlanta.

The Braves seem to be committing to a full rebuild after dealing Andrelton Simmons to the Angels last week, and are reportedly shopping Markakis, Cameron Maybin, Nick Swisher, Julio Teheran and others after trading Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis and Craig Kimbrel last winter.

Markakis, 31, had a solid season for the Braves last season, hitting .296/.370/.376 while serving as the team's starting right fielder. He saw his power numbers decrease rapidly (only three homers in comparison to the sixteen that he averaged during his time with Atlanta) in Turner Field, and is likely open to a reunion with the Orioles after expressing interest in re-signing with them last offseason.