Nick 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.

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles recently discussed a contract extension with right fielder Nick Markakis.  However, talks have already reached a standstill and will wait until after the season.

Markakis will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after the season.  He’s earning $455K this year, so his ’09 salary should increase at least tenfold.  Zrebiec says the O’s wanted to buy out Markakis’ three arbitration years, at the least.

Zrebiec speculates that Markakis’ contract could fall somewhere between those of Alex Rios and Hanley Ramirez.  Rios is an odd case since he was a Super Two player.  He will receive about $16.3MM for his last three arb years and then $12.25MM annually covering four free agent years.  Ramirez gave up his three arb years for $23.5MM and then three free agent years at an average of $15.5MM.

Splitting the difference, the Orioles could offer Markakis a six-year, $62MM extension.

The Orioles have been slow to embrace the trend of signing young players long-term to save money.  Granted, they don’t have any obvious extension candidates aside from right fielder Nick Markakis.  Jeremy Guthrie, maybe, but he’s represented by Scott Boras and isn’t a star player.  Seems too early for Adam Jones.  Earlier this month, Buster Olney wrote that the Orioles plan to wait at least three years before talking to Markakis or Jones about extensions.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun has a new article up discussing Markakis’ situation.  He notes that Markakis’ agent hasn’t had substantive contract talks with the Orioles, but discussions are expected this winter since he’ll be arbitration-eligible for the ’09 season.  Connolly says the O’s aren’t concerned about saving money during the arb years; they’d be focused on buying out free agent seasons.  So they could definitely continue to wait even as fans get uneasy about Markakis.  Connolly figures Markakis’ salary will jump up to the $2.5-5MM range in ’09.

Connolly suggests Alex Rios might be a good comparable for Markakis.  Rios basically gave up two arb years for $15.6MM and four free agent years for $49MM. 

Is it fair to lump Nick Markakis in with the growing collection of young players annoyed with their renewals?  The Orioles gave Markakis a $55K raise up to $455K.  He apparently wanted something north of $800K.  That’s kind of how these "negotiations" go when one side has zero leverage aside from "unhappiness."  Markakis didn’t whine about it.  He said:

That’s just how the Orioles feel.  I don’t have much of a choice. I’m just going to have to deal with it.

ESPN interpreted this quote to mean Markakis was "miffed" and "ticked." In the above-linked article, Dan Connolly writes, "Those close to him, however, say Markakis was angered by the end result."

While there is a growing trend of pre-arb players being annoyed over renewals, let’s not lump Markakis in with Prince Fielder and Cole Hamels.  Markakis didn’t actually make any negative comments.  Expressing discontent to close friends about one’s salary is something most people do.