Will DD Pursue Victor Martinez ?

We need more contact hitters with some speed and power. Would we settle for a solid average and OBP ?

Will DD pursue Victor Martinez who had a career year playing little in the field 35+ games at 1B and mostly DH? If my memory is correct we offered him a larger contract in 2011 and he took less (4 years and $50 million) to sign in Detroit. Career 20 HR and 103 RBI hitter with a career .306 BA and .373 OBP. Last season he hit .335 with 32 HR's and a .409 OBP. He is coming off of a 4 yrs. $50 million dollar contract or $12.5 million per year. He'll be 36 in December. Would you rather give him 2 years at $13.5 million per year with a 3rd year option or sign Markakis for 3 years at $13 million per year? I'm a big Markakis fan but he is not worth his $17.5 million option year contract or $13 mill per year. I'm speculating Nick will get a $13 million dollar offer somewhere. The offensive production of our lineup would benefit adding Martinez over Nick. We would need to add another speed OF (Berry) or continue with Pearce and Young in OF with De Aza, Jones and Cruz being the starters(assuming Cruz signs).

No. Can't forfeit another 1st round pick when they could just sign Cruz.

Nooooo way!

Wait...

You think V-Mart is only worth 500k more than Markakis on the open market? If Martinez signs for less than 3 years/$45 million, I'll be floored.

No. Can't forfeit another 1st round pick when they could just sign Cruz.

Is that true that we would have to give up our 1st round pick to sign him? I thought he was a free agent.

Wait...

You think V-Mart is only worth 500k more than Markakis on the open market? If Martinez signs for less than 3 years/$45 million, I'll be floored.

I don't believe there is a team out there that will pay Markakis 3/45. I think you'll be floored. Nick will be offered a contract similar to Hardy, around 3/40 by the O's.

Is that true that we would have to give up our 1st round pick to sign him? I thought he was a free agent.

Detroit will offer a QO.

Wait...

You think V-Mart is only worth 500k more than Markakis on the open market? If Martinez signs for less than 3 years/$45 million, I'll be floored.

The Orioles gave up a pick when they resigned Hardy. I do not believe we will sign anyone with a pick attached.

Detroit will offer a QO.

And Cruz will net us a pick. It's not like we are picking top of the class.

I remember them talking on wall to wall baseball when Cruz signed, that he probably took less and he and the O's had a gentlemen's agreement they wouldn't QO him. Is it guaranteed Cruz will get a QO?

And Cruz will net us a pick. It's not like we are picking top of the class.

To true. But I kinda like being in the position of the low draft pick.

I remember them talking on wall to wall baseball when Cruz signed, that he probably took less and he and the O's had a gentlemen's agreement they wouldn't QO him. Is it guaranteed Cruz will get a QO?

Not DDs MO. I would be shocked if this happened. If players have an issue with QOs, then talk to their union that negotiated the bargaining agreement.

I don't believe there is a team out there that will pay Markakis 3/45. I think you'll be floored. Nick will be offered a contract similar to Hardy, around 3/40 by the O's.

And no other team would come close to 3/40. Maybe 2/25 with an option.

I remember them talking on wall to wall baseball when Cruz signed, that he probably took less and he and the O's had a gentlemen's agreement they wouldn't QO him. Is it guaranteed Cruz will get a QO?

Yes. That was just some reporter's speculation.

Rather sign Morales than Martinez. Younger, cheaper, no QO, and both their prior 3 seasons are very similar. Good chance they could both have very similar seasons next year as well.