Contract negotiations have broken off between the Baltimore Orioles and Nick Markakis, which means one of two things. The Orioles don’t think he’s that good, or that he’s reached the plateau of how good he’s going to be.
In either case, they would be dead wrong.
Talent aside, we can at least rely on Nick Markakis to be on the field. He has started at least 132 games per year in his three years with the club. We can rely on him being productive, as he has hit more than 20 home runs and driven in at least 80 runs in the last two seasons, and has raised his slugging percentage and batting average every year.
And for a club still trying to find a franchise face to replace Cal Ripken Jr., Markakis fits the bill perfectly. He isn’t a complete douche like Aubrey Huff, doesn’t encourage other teams to “Cowboy Up” like Kevin Millar, and isn’t in trade rumors every other week like Brian Roberts.
And from all indications, he actually wants to be here.
I know there’s consideration for looming free agency pursuits, but making Markakis feel wanted is as much a priority as any other personnel move Andy McPhail could make. Reaching an contract impasse with one of your younger, more productive players isn’t the kind of foundation building the Orioles claim to seek. It’s a way to guarantee that Markakis’ value goes up, they can’t afford him, and he jets to another club with designs on World Series contention.
And the man who would be the face of the Baltimore Orioles faces the reality of playing for a mismanged franchise.
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He is the best young guy out there o’s need to go get him and then keep him
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