Will Markakis sign with the O's before the FA signing begin? (Option Declined)

[AlbionHero]

That won't take very long.

Nick is absolutely fine in the leadoff spot.

Taking an extra base only 19% of the time (waaay below league average) and only scoring 86 runs hitting before some pretty big time hitters is certainly not "Absolutely fine" as a leadoff hitter. For a leadoff hitter, you want someone with speed who can get around the bases and score you runs, and that is one thing Markakis is weak at. It doesn't matter if he has a good OBP if he can't do anything when he gets on base...

[El Gordo]

I don't have a problem with Nick leading off but it doesn't upgrade the offense. We need to do that somewhere, especially if we don't sign Cruz.

[AlbionHero]

To me, Markakis is more of a #2 hitter... good OBP, some power, but not enough speed to be your leadoff guy, but he's someone who can help get the lead off guy in. The leadoff guy can get a single, steal a base, and then Nick drives a single into the outfield to score 'em.

But with Nick as the leadoff guy, he gets a single, then the #2 guy gets a single and he's stuck at 2nd. Then Jones flies out and he stays at 2nd instead of tagging up, etc etc. He doesn't run the bases well enough to get you runs like a leadoff guy should.

[waroriole]

I don't have a problem with Nick leading off but it doesn't upgrade the offense. We need to do that somewhere, especially if we don't sign Cruz.

You mean like getting an All Star C and 3B?

[Ohfan67]

How would you guys feel if the O's announced a five year, fifty-five million dollar deal with Markakis? 5-50? 4-44? I'm beginning to think a four or even five year deal is a possibility. I could see Markakis taking like 10 or 10.5 to get an extra year. Crazy thinking? I'm not advocating this, for sure, just thinking where the two sides will meet.

[Ohfan67]

You mean like getting an All Star C and 3B?

Both coming off serious surgeries and despite Weiters hot start in 2014 he has rarely hit like an all star.

[waroriole]

Both coming off serious surgeries and despite Weiters hot start in 2014 he has rarely hit like an all star.

Joseph hit .618 and Hundley .631 last year. Compared to those guys, Wieters does hit like a superstar.

[Ohfan67]

[video=youtube;Bnvvn0xrV24]

Love the movie. Enjoyed the book. But I wish folks would remember something else about that team:

2002 ERA+

Hudson 145

Zito 158

Mulder 125

Lidle 112

Those four averaged about 215 IP in 2002.

Sorry for the aside.

[Ohfan67]

Joseph hit .618 and Hundley .631 last year. Compared to those guys, Wieters does hit like a superstar.

No he doesn't. The conversation was about replacing Cruz and to a lesser extent Markakis.

[Ohfan67]

I think a 4/40 or 5/50 contract is a terrible waste of money. I get the Markakis love. I just don't share it.

I agree, but I'm beginning to think something like that is a real possibility.

[waroriole]

No he doesn't. The conversation was about replacing Cruz and to a lesser extent Markakis.

Whatever you say. I said we're getting an AS C, you claim it's not enough. The difference between Wieters and Joseph/Hundley is >.100 points. You don't think we can find a DH to give us at least a .750?

[wildcard]

Roch: The two sides have been talking for weeks - I've heard that the framework involves a four-year deal - and I'd expect an agreement at some point in the not-too-distant future.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2014/11/catching-up-on-hundley-and-markakis.html

[weams]

26. Nick Markakis (OF Orioles, 31): Markakis rebounded some last season after delivering just 34 extra-base hits in 2013, finishing at .276/.342/.386. He also ended up with better defensive numbers than usual, if you want to buy into that. He’s been with the Orioles his entire career, and there’s a good chance he’ll stick around, just not under the terms of his $17.5 million club option. I don’t see how he’s worth more than $20 million over two years or $27 million for three, though that would be a steep pay cut to offer him after he made $15 million each of the last two years.

[O's84]

I agree with this guy. I actually don't think he's worth even that to the O's but I could live with those contracts.

My limit is 10m/yr and no more than 3 years unless there's an option. And I feel uncomfortable with those terms.

[AlbionHero]

I just really hope we don't give 4 years. Markakis isn't even really worth that now, and to me he looks like an old 30 who has a chance to become even worse over the course of that contract. And since he's one of Bucks guys, he's likely going to throw him out there every day regardless of how his skills erode and he wouldn't give him a platoon partner either. Its worrisome that RF may be a black hole for a couple years.