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Orioles Offered Extension To Markakis

According to ESPN's Buster Olney yesterday:

Recently, the Orioles made a modest offer to right fielder Nick Markakis, and the conversations went nowhere; it's unclear whether the threads of negotiations will be picked up any time soon, or -- more likely -- will be held over until next winter.

A brief history on the Markakis negotiations is below.  He will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season.

• In March, Markakis was renewed at $455K rather than the $800K he hoped for.  He did not make any negative public comments, though several outlets perceived him to be miffed, ticked, and angered.
• In May, Olney wrote that the Orioles planned to wait at least three years before discussing long-term deals with young players like Markakis and Adam Jones.
• Later in May, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun said extension discussions are expected this winter.  The O's will focus on buying out free agent seasons.
• In July, Jeff Zrebiec of the Sun said the Orioles talked to Markakis about an extension but talks hit a wall and they'll wait until after the season.  Zrebiec said the Orioles wanted to buy out Markakis' three arbitration years, at least.  I speculated that the O's could offer six years, $62MM.

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