Baltimore Orioles expected to decline Nick Markakis’ option

For the past nine seasons Nick Markakis has patrolled right field for the Baltimore Orioles, but that tenure is expected to come to an end. Jon Heyman at CBS Sports reports that the team is expected to decline their team option on the soon-to-be 31 year old for the 2015 season. It’s a move many have projected dating back to the start of the season.

The option would have been valued at $17.5 Million, but the team will instead pay a $2 Million buyout.

Markakis made a quick impact upon arriving in the Orioles lineup. His rookie season, 2007, he appeared in 147 games and hit .291/.351/.448. Add on 25 doubles, 16 home runs, and Markakis finished 6th in the AL Rookie of the Year race. Over his first three full seasons he compiled a .299/.375/.476 line while averaging 39 doubles, 20 home runs, 87 RBI, and 10 stolen bases a year.

Baltimore rewarded the production with a six year, $66.1 Million contract extension prior to the 2009 season. In six seasons since, Markakis has slipped back to a .286/.350/.415 mark – with 33 doubles, 14 home runs, 66 RBI, and 5 SB.

Long considered a fan favorite in Baltimore and still a reliable piece of the lineup – only once since 2007 has he finished a season with under 697 plate appearances – it’s tough to justify such a significant cost to keep Markakis around heading into next season. A return to Baltimore isn’t out of the question, but it would likely have to come at a much lower cost.

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It seems evident, however, that there will be options on the open market for the former 1st Round draft pick.

While noting numerous reasons why he won’t be atop their offseason target list, Joel Sherman at the NY Post suggests that the New York Mets could be a potential suitor. The Mets will likely be focused on finding a corner outfielder who offers a little more power potential – especially if they go through with plans to bring in the fences at Citi Field – but Sherman notes the team’s need for a leadoff hitter. Markakis has a career .358 on base percentage and experience at the top of the lineup.

Nicholas Blazek at Cubbies Crib makes a case for the Chicago Cubs to take a look. The Cubs’ roster is loaded with young talent, but the group is severely lacking on experience. Bringing a player of Markakis’ caliber into the mix would help breath some consistency to the lineup while also giving these prospects a mentor to learn from in the clubhouse daily.

Baltimore will be facing an offseason in which they’ll be focused on shoring up an already strong roster, all with the hope of repeating next season as the best team in the AL East. Markakis may prove to be a part of that mix and he may prove not to be, but either way, there will surely be some interest once he officially lands on the open market.