The times of seeing Nick Markakis man right field for the Baltimore Orioles may not be done just yet. Even though the Orioles are expected to decline the $17.5 million team option on him, Markakis' agent, Jamie Murphy of Octagon, has had talks with the Orioles about a possible extension, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Kubatko writes that the two sides are expected to continue talks throughout the week leading up to the deadline of five days after the World Series, when teams have to make the decision to either exercise a team option or decline it.
It is not surpising to anyone at all that the Orioles and Nick Markakis would want to work out a new deal, as the two have had mutual interest in completing an extension for a long time now, but only if the price is right. Markakis has only played for the Orioles and is the only current Oriole remaining from the 2006 team that featured the likes of manager Sam Perlozzo and players Melvin Mora, Jeff Conine, Javy Lopez and Kris Benson.
Drafted back in 2003 out of Young Harris College as a pitcher, Markakis debuted as the starting right fielder in 2006. In his rookie season, he hit .291/.351/.448 with sixteen home runs, 25 doubles and 62 runs batted in. This season, he hit .276/.342/.386 with fourteen home runs and fifty runs batted in. In Orioles' ranks, Markakis already played in the ninth-most games, thirteenth for bWAR among position players and is sixth in hits.
Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors projects Markakis to receive a contract of four-years, $48 million with a $12 million AAV on the open market. However, if the Orioles were to extend a qualifying offer to him, he is projected to get three-years, $39 million with a $13 million AAV.