Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles discussing four year deal

Nick Markakis and the Baltimore Orioles have been discussing the framework for a new deal that would keep the outfielder with the team. Discussions have been ongoing for the past few weeks, according to MASN’s Roch Kubatko, and center around a potential four year deal.

An agreement isn’t necessarily close, but Kubatko gets the feeling that it’s safe to expect an agreement to be reached between the two sides.

Markakis batted .276/.342/.386 in 710 plate appearances in 2014, adding 14 HR and a career-low 50 RBI. The former 1st Round pick in 2003 (#7 overall) has spent his entire career with the Orioles, posting a .290/.358/.435 mark. Markakis will turn 31 later this month.

The Orioles have already declined their side of a $17.5 million mutual option that they had with Markakis, paying him a $2 million buyout. The move had been anticipated, though all along the team was expected to maintain a serious level of interest in a new role at a lower annual salary. Come Tuesday Markakis will be able to negotiate with other clubs, but knowing that he and the Orioles have been having discussions about a new deal for weeks could negate any real impact expanding the potential number of suitors will have.

Numerous opposing teams have already been linked to potential landing spots for Markakis, by a variety of sources. Most early speculation seemed to center on a three or four year in the neighborhood of $40-48 million. If the team is able to lock up Markakis and sign Nelson Cruz, who is also a free agent but expected to return to the club, then they’ll have their entire outfield locked up for the foreseeable future.