Alex Rios signs extension with Blue Jays- A sign of things to come for Markakis?

For those of you that haven't heard, Alex Rios signed a $64 million, six-year contract extension with the Jays. It breaks down as:

1. 2009: $5.9 million (arbitration year)
   
2. 2010: $9.7 million (arbitration year)
   
3. 2011: $12 million (free agency years begin)
   
4. 2012: $12 million
5. 2013: $12.5 million
6. 2014: $12.5 million
7. 2015: $13.5 million option
   

He also has a full no-trade clause for 2009-2010, and a partial one after that.

So if Rios entered the market as a free agent, he would have received a 4 year, $49 million contract, a fair price. Most outlets say that Toronto did pretty well in this contract.

I bring this up because its never too early to think about locking up Markakis. Right now, him and Rios are pretty much the same player, so the free agency years should be about the same price if an extension were to occur.

But lets say Markakis steps up his game and becomes a .900 OPS ish type of player, then his free agent salary would probably be $15 million+.

Due to his greek heritage and good looks, I have absolutely no doubt that Angelos will pay whatever it takes to retain him, but some major cash could be saved if they move to lock up Nick within the next year or two. Some might say a long term deal this early is a risk, which it certainly is. But lets face it, in the fickle world of baseball, Markakis is as sure of a thing as it gets in terms of young players.