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Orioles To Explore Extensions For Roberts, Markakis

In what the Baltimore Sun is calling a pivotal offseason, Orioles president of baseball operations, Andy MacPhail, said the team will initiate contract extension talks with the agents of second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder Nick Markakis.

Roberts is eligible for free-agency after next season, and the Orioles had brief discussions with Jamie Murphy, Markakis' agent, during the All-Star game, but talks quickly ceased due to neither party being able to reach any common ground.

Roberts has been linked to several trade talks in the past, but he made no secret of the fact that he'd like to stay with the O's:

"I've always enjoyed Baltimore. I like playing here," Roberts told the Sun. "It's something that we'll have to sit down and look at this winter. If the opportunity arises, I'll sit down with the Orioles or my agent or my family or whoever and try to figure out the best thing to do. I just have trouble looking at it right now. I'm just trying to finish the season, and there's nothing really on the table to talk about it. But I enjoy being here. It's something that I'd definitely consider."

Markakis is considered the cornerstone of the Orioles' rebuilding plans.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

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