Are Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz next?
The Baltimore Orioles may be about to begin playing in the American League Division Series on Friday but they are taking care of important business anyway. Baltimore radio host Jeremy Conn was the first to report Thursday that the Orioles will be likely be announcing a new multi-year deal with shortstop J.J. Hardy by the end of the day.
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Hardy, who would have been a free agent at the end of the season, was rumored to be a target of the New York Yankees. It is smart of Baltimore to take care of this sooner than later as Hardy would have been the best shortstop on a free agent market that includes Stephen Drew, Hanley Ramirez and Jed Lowrie, among others.
Hardy batted .268/.309/.372 with 28 doubles, nine home runs and 52 RBIs for the Orioles season. He went 3-for-10 with a home run in the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers.
Hardy’s deal is reportedly $40 million over the next three years with a vesting team option based on the number of at-bats he accumulates, MASN’s Roch Kubatko reported via Twitter.
Source: Hardy deal 3 years, $40 mil with $6.5 mil deferred. Vesting option 4th year based on ABs #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) October 9, 2014
There are rumors according to Kubatko that the club intends to turn their sights to re-signing outfielder Nick Markakis, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the season.
Although Markakis’ contract does include a mutual option for 2015, it would be a good idea for Baltimore to negotiate with Markakis now as opposed to after the season.
FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported that the Orioles are also talking with slugger Nelson Cruz, yet another Oriole who will be a free agent at the season’s end, about a contract extension.
Sources: #Orioles also pushing to complete deal with Cruz, who recently changed agents, signing with Relativity Sports.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 9, 2014
Again this is a smart, and huge, move by Baltimore as Cruz led the entire league with 40 home runs in 2014.
Locking down these these key potential free agents before the season ends guarantees that their ALCS bound team remains together in 2015, possibly giving them another shot at the American League Pennant.