The deliberate, patient approach to Markakis' contract extension

It's obvious the Orioles are going to pony up and pay Markakis at some point. But the lack of urgency to lock him up right now (and engender some good will) seems to have no real benefit and it could potentially end up annoying Markakis as he watches his peers (like Evan Longoria) have their pre-arbitration years and arbitration years quickly bought out so they can be rewarded with long-term stability.

While it's true that the Orioles have plenty of leverage right now, the longer the team waits, the more valuable Markakis becomes. Literally, each day that passes is a day his value goes up. Maybe it's by $100, maybe it's $100,000, but the point is, he isn't getting less expensive the longer you wait. This is a stock that's only going to climb in value over the next 10 years. The fact that the two sides say negotiations are moving very slowly suggests, to me, that they are light years apart and that the Orioles haven't yet decided to get realistic about Markakis' value. When Tampa Bay locked in Longoria for six years at $17 million plus a number of option years even though he'd only played six major league games, it suddenly became the smartest deal in baseball.

Amen. I get that Andy likes to take his time, but for once, couldn't we send the right signal and show a marquee player that he is wanted?

7 months ago zknower Comment 8 comments 0 recs |

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annoying Markakis as he watches his peers (like Evan Longoria) have their pre-arbitration years and arbitration years quickly bought out so they can be rewarded with long-term stability.

Longoria isn’t a good comparison because he’s such an exceptional case. I don’t think any player has had their pre-arb and arb years bought out after 6 major league games.

While it’s true that the Orioles have plenty of leverage right now, the longer the team waits, the more valuable Markakis becomes. Literally, each day that passes is a day his value goes up. Maybe it’s by $100, maybe it’s $100,000, but the point is, he isn’t getting less expensive the longer you wait.

Actually, there may be some “market corrections” this offseason. Is there a stud LF/RF out on the free agent market this offseason?

by birdman on Nov 30, 2008 6:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Burrell

Pat the Bat?

by blawk359 on Dec 2, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Posted this before

Nick wants to sign. Rios and Utley are benchmarks. Longoria isnt.

Nick is young enough he would probably look at a five year deal, three arb and two free agent years and be eligible to test free agency again at 29.

Its going to be hard to say the market is correcting when CC gets 140 mil. Tex gets 160 mil, Burnett gets 80-100 mill (I throw out burnett maybe getting six years if the Yanks get desperate-meaning CC and Lowe go elsewhere). But I get your point that salaries may be hitting that wall and contract a bit if the economy does start effecting player salaries overall. Which is one reason why the O’s might find themselves in a really strong position in the 2009-2010 offseason if economic woes continue and of course didnt sign AJ and/or Tex, Dunn, etc.

Lets get the winter meetings done and get Krivsky settled and then they should be able to knock this thing out.

by sanders833 on Nov 30, 2008 6:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rios and Utley are benchmarks.

Agree with Rios but Utley’s a 2B. Also, I believe (not 100% sure) the later years of arb are influenced by what free agents get. Like I said before, what happens this offseason to FA LFers/RFers may influence Nick’s market value.

by birdman on Nov 30, 2008 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Utley

Hits like a corner outfielder. This is off the top of my head I thought Utley signed something like 7 for 84 million.

by sanders833 on Nov 30, 2008 8:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't help but feel like

Markakis was snubbed for a gold glove. I think eventually he will get one (or a few), but his defensive skills are terribly underated by those who don’t see him often.

This is just another reason why it is definitely time to get the deal done. The pieces are falling into place (slowly, I know), and this would be a big step in the right direction. I also feel that if we are going to shell out big money for any free agent now or later, it may as well be Mark Tex. I know that we would be overpaying, but hey, just envision the lineup…

by sickuvitall on Dec 1, 2008 1:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If Markakis were on the MFY or PHN,

he deserved the gold glove. This isn’t the bitter O’s fan in me, it’s reality. Have you seen this guy in RF? He is that good with the glove.

"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"

by exitfare on Dec 1, 2008 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't make highlight reels

He makes the plays the smart way, without drama, and his arm—well, again, that doesn’t make the out-of-market sports shows. But agreed—he is outstanding.

by fishoutawata on Dec 3, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs