Orioles Discussing Four-Year Deal With Nick Markakis (Signs w/ATL)

[Bird Dog]

Maybe the "other night" was before he won the Gold Glove ward.....

[Frobby]

So, the other night it seemed like things were close and maybe it was just ironing out details. Now, we get a report that maybe they aren't so close. The plot thickens

Dan has proven the last two years that he can suggest the O's have an interest in retaining a player, and then turn around and cut ties. I'd say the odds he signs Markakis are no better than 50/50.

[Frobby]

Melewski's take:

On the plus side, he provides the Orioles with durability, leadership, defense, on-base skills, the ability to hit both left- and right-handers, and is part of a clubhouse culture that puts a premium on playing hard every day and bringing your best every night. It is a team mentality that serves the Orioles well.

On the downside, he is not nearly as productive as he once was. From 2007-11, Markakis averaged 42 doubles, 18 homers and 86 RBIs per year. But the last three seasons, he has averaged 26 doubles, 12 homers and 54 RBIs.

Those against signing Markakis to a new long-term deal will likely point to those stats and say he is not worth the dollars they are talking about.

Another factor here is the emotional attachment O's fans have for a lifelong Oriole that was drafted in the first round in 2003 and made the majors in 2006. Many fans see more here than just what is on a stat sheet and appreciate the defense, leadership and reliability. That means something to a fanbase that seemed excited for Markakis to finally get to play in the postseason last month.

Markakis seems to be a player you have to see every day to truly appreciate. The reporters that cover the team can take it a step further. When you hear Buck Showalter and other players talk about Markakis, it is clear how much he is valued and respected by his teammates.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2014/11/a-look-at-the-orioles-pursuit-of-a-new-deal-with-nick-markakis.html

Buck:

"Nicky's a big part of our culture, what we're trying to do here and I know we're working hard to get him back."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2014/11/hunter-on-mlb-team-touring-japan-showalter-on-mlb-network.html

[sportsfan8703]

I could see Markakis going to the NL and flourishing for the first year. New pitchers. Bigger Ballparks. Lots of square footage for singles. But I don't think he's going to be worth the type of contract he wants/might get.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Still hoping for a mystery team.

If I was a team interested in him and I saw the recent reports I would make a Mussina style take it or leave it offer.

Thankfully Nick is a loyal Oriole.

[atomic]

Right, because major league general managers don't have access to information like you and I do, and spend millions of dollars based on their offhand impressions of the players they sign.

OK, sarcasm turned off now: I'm sure every major league GM can make an assessment of Nick's defense that is more sophisticated than anything you or I can do by looking at publicly available statistics. And it wouldn't surprise me if some of those assessments ranked Nick higher than, say, UZR does. But they will be well aware of Nick's limitations.

Golden Gloves are awarde based on a combination of saber metric fielding stats and votes by major league managers and coaches. I think Nick is rated much higher by real life experts over what people on this board rate him based on one questionable stat ranking.

[Can_of_corn]

Thankfully Nick is a loyal Oriole.

Well isn't that a huge pile of speculation?

I hope Nick has enough sense to treat it as a business.

[atomic]

Still hoping for a mystery team.

If I was a team interested in him and I saw the recent reports I would make a Mussina style take it or leave it offer.

As that worked out so well with Mussina let's repeat it with Markakis?

[Can_of_corn]

As that worked out so well with Mussina let's repeat it with Markakis?

It sure worked out for the team making the offer!

[atomic]

Dan has proven the last two years that he can suggest the O's have an interest in retaining a player, and then turn around and cut ties. I'd say the odds he signs Markakis are no better than 50/50.

However there were no reports of negotiations with those players like there has been with Markakis.

[atomic]

It sure worked out for the team making the offer!

Mussina was a star with the Yankees and the Orioles became a laughing stock. I don't see how that worked out for the Orioles.

[Can_of_corn]

Mussina was a star with the Yankees and the Orioles became a laughing stock. I don't see how that worked out for the Orioles.

You need to read a little more closely. I was speaking from the view of a competing team.

[Bahama O's Fan]

The longer this takes, the lower the chances that he resigns.

[Can_of_corn]

The longer this takes' date=' the lower the chances that he resigns.[/quote']

I disagree. I think the longer the Orioles drag things out the more likely he gets frustrated.

[atomic]

You need to read a little more closely. I was speaking from the view of a competing team.

Ok I get it now but I don't know why you want another team to sign Markakis and for him to go on to have a great career with them.