Nick Markakis News: Pro Sports Daily

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May 27

Baltimore Sun

"Four months after signing the largest contract extension in Orioles history, right fielder Nick Markakis and his wife, Christina, announced the establishment of The Right Side Foundation, a non-profit charity for distressed and disadvantaged youth throughout Maryland. Markakis, who became a first-time father 11 weeks ago, said Tuesday afternoon in a news conference at Camden Yards that he has always loved kids, explaining that once he agreed to his six-year $66.1 million deal in January, he knew he wanted to provide help for area children. "After singing the contract and being blessed with all things going on in my life, getting married and my kid, I've always talked about helping and ..."

Considering Markakis

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April 27

Baltimore Sun

columnist Childs Walker

"Nick Markakis is so good that he constantly forces me to adjust my conception of what he can be. That's extremely high praise for an athlete, something I'd say about LeBron James or Tiger Woods. And it makes me wonder if we take Markakis for granted sometimes, because he has played on losing teams and has not made a national splash. At Camden Yards on Saturday, my colleague Dan Connolly spoke to an NL scout about which outfielders he'd trade Markakis for. The scout's list stopped at Carlos Beltran and B.J. Upton. Dan and I tossed the question around a bit. I wouldn't trade Markakis for either of the scout's guys. Beltran is great but probably on the downside of his career. Upton is a ..."

Prediction: Markakis makes first All-Star team

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April 23

Baltimore Sun

columnist Rick Maese

"I know it's way too early for such proclamations, but Major League Baseball doesn't want us to wait. We must pick our All-Stars now. Regardless, I feel pretty good about this: Nick Markakis will play in his first All-Star game in July. A bit more on Markakis (who was 2-for-4 with another run in last night's loss) in a bit; first, the All-Star details. The season is less than three weeks old, but All-Star voting has already begun. The Internet ballot boxes opened yesterday, and the Orioles don't want their fans to sit this one out. Prior to last night's game, the Orioles introduced their "Vote Orange, $ave Green" campaign, which mixes colors and a dollar sign! The team is offering the ..."

Jon Lester finds a rival

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April 20

Boston Herald

"In the fourth inning of the Red Sox' 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles yesterday afternoon at Fenway Park, Sox starter Jon Lester blew a low fastball past the O's Nick Markakis for a called third strike. When they faced each other again in the sixth, Lester caught Markakis looking at a two-strike deuce for yet another punchout. Lester wound up with seven shutout innings en route to his first victory of the season. He allowed just four hits. None of them were registered by Markakis, who went hitless in three at-bats against the Sox lefty. Yet despite yesterday's mismatch, it's quite possible we are in the early stages of what could be a terrific rivalry for years to come. Now we aren't ..."

Signing Markakis is first step to contention

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January 25

Baltimore Examiner

"Nick Markakis officially set a timeline for Birdland to follow the second he autographed his six-year, $66.1 million contract extension on Thursday. The Orioles should be competitive by 2014. Markakis' second-largest contract in franchise history includes an option for the 2015 season, but the length of the guaranteed portion of the contract should give fans a reasonable set of expectations after 11 straight losing seasons. In 2014, Markakis will be 30, in his prime and entrenched as one of the greatest Orioles of all time --at least that's the plan. Markakis should hit around .300 and consistently produce 25 home runs, 100 runs and 100 RBI. The rest of the plan is in Andy MacPhail's ..."

Orioles, Markakis reach six-year, $66.1M deal

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January 20

Baltimore Sun

"The Orioles have reached a six-year, $66.1 million contract extension with right fielder Nick Markakis, according to baseball sources. He will be in Baltimore tomorrow to take a physical and sign the contract. The deal, pending the physical, will keep one of the organization's building blocks with the Orioles through at least the 2014 season. It includes standard incentive clauses, a limited no-trade clause - in which he can block a deal to at least eight teams each year - and a mutual option with an unspecified team buyout for the 2015season, according to sources. In terms of guaranteed money, it will be the second-most expensive contract in Orioles history, behind only the six-year, $72 ..."

O's lock up Markakis

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January 19

Baltimore Sun

"The Orioles have finalized a six-year, $66 million contract extension with outfielder Nick Markakis, according to baseball sources. Markakis will be in Baltimore later this week to take a routine physical and to sign the contract. The deal, which will keep one of the organization's building blocks with the Orioles through at least the 2014 season, could also include some incentives and a limited no-trade clause. In terms of guaranteed money, it will be the second-most expensive contract in Orioles history behind only the six-year, $72 million pact given to shortstop Miguel Tejada in December 2003. Markakis, 25, didn't return a phone call today seeking comment. However, it's expected that ..."

O's, Markakis near deal

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January 18

Baltimore Sun

"The Orioles and Nick Markakis are close to a six-year deal worth between $64million and $66 million in guaranteed money, a baseball source said. Markakis and the Orioles have made "real progress" in their contract-extension negotiations in recent days, according to club president Andy MacPhail. "We're close," MacPhail said, without revealing specifics. "But we're not there yet." The source said that once some minor details are worked out, a deal could be announced this week, assuming the right fielder passes a routine physical in Baltimore. The goal is for the agreement to be reached officially by Tuesday, when agents and ballclubs must report arbitration figures to the commissioner's ..."

Markakis, Orioles may be near deal

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January 18

MLB.com

"Right fielder Nick Markakis and the Orioles may be approaching agreement on a six-year contract extension worth between $64-66 million, a source told The Baltimore Sun. Team president Andy MacPhail told The Sun the sides had made "real progress" in talks recently, but he added, "We're not there yet." Ideally, a deal would be reached by Tuesday, when players eligible for salary arbitration -- such as Markakis -- and their teams exchange proposed salary figures. A six-year contract would keep Markakis with Baltimore through the 2014 season and stave off free agency, for which he becomes eligible after 2011."

Markakis turns down offer to play in World Baseball Classic

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December 23

Baltimore Sun

"Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis said today that he has turned down an offer to play for the United States in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Markakis, who hit .306 last season with 20 homers and 87 RBIs, said he got a call this week from Billy Ripken, who is on the staff of the American team, which is managed by Davey Johnson. But he had to decline the invitation due to family concerns. Markakis was married earlier this offseason and he and his wife, Christina, are expecting their first child during the tournament. "My first child is due on March 12 and that's right in the middle of it," Markakis said. "It was an easy decision. It's definitely a big honor and something I'd like to ..."

Talks between O's, Markakis on hold

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December 2

Baltimore Sun

"Contract-extension talks between the Orioles and their star right fielder Nick Markakis have broken off and likely will not be revisited for at least six weeks. Both club president Andy MacPhail and Markakis' agent, Jamie Murphy, confirmed that the sides exchanged proposals last week for the first time this offseason and that after several discussions, an agreement could not be reached. Stopping short of calling it an impasse, Murphy said Markakis has decided to observe what happens with baseball's current free-agent class before negotiating again. Murphy said he expects talks to pick up in late January when the sides exchange filings for salary arbitration. "In many respects the talks ..."

Markakis, Roberts still high on O's to-do list

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October 30

Baltimore Sun

"Orioles president Andy MacPhail reiterated yesterday that contract extensions for second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder Nick Markakis are among the organization's offseason priorities and that the team has talked "generalities" with the agents of the two players. Although there hasn't been real movement on extensions for either player, that's expected to change in the coming days. "I would say we're still in the initial contact phase, but there have been conversations as it relates to both players," MacPhail said. "We have plenty of time to talk to the two of them, but it's not a horse race. It's not one over the other or one ahead of the other. We're interested in talking to them ..."

O's to talk extensions with Roberts, Markakis

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September 20

Baltimore Sun

"Ten days before the start of a pivotal offseason, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said he will explore contract extension talks with the agents of Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis in the coming weeks. Roberts, who turns 31 on Oct. 9, is expected to be the higher priority because the two-time All-Star second baseman is eligible for free agency at the end of next season. "It would be difficult for me envisioning an offseason where we don't explore and see what their appetite [for a contract extension] is given that he is coming into his final season next year," MacPhail said. "I would expect that we have a conversation. Where it's going to go? I don't know. But I would ..."

Markakis driving toward RBI goal

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August 14

Baltimore Sun

"Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis doesn't sit down each spring and script out any personal goals for the coming season. But when he thinks about what will constitute a good individual season, Markakis always come back to one statistic. "I think RBIs are the biggest thing," Markakis said. "RBIs, on-base [percentage], runs scored. Those are more important than home runs and batting average. I think home runs are overrated. Yeah, it feels good. But if you're still driving in 100 runs and not hitting as many home runs, I still think that's as productive of a year as some guy hitting 45, 50 home runs. If you're driving in 100 runs, you're really doing something right." For much of the season, ..."

Markakis contract extension talks suspended

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July 22

Baltimore Sun

"The Orioles and star right fielder Nick Markakis engaged in negotiations for a contract extension in the past week, but those discussions halted Monday and likely will not be rekindled until after the season, according to several baseball sources.Markakis, 24, who is considered the cornerstone of the team's rebuilding plan, is eligible for arbitration after the season and is under Orioles' contractual control through the 2011 season.Asked about the talks between the Orioles and Jamie Murphy, Markakis' agent, club president Andy MacPhail said: "We don't comment on negotiations."Murphy and Markakis also declined to address the topic Monday."

Markakis gives O's push in right direction

May 27

Baltimore Sun

columnist Peter Schmuck

"Sometimes, you just have to marvel at the strange psychological dynamics at work in a major league ballgame. The Orioles arrived back at Camden Yards yesterday in a serious funk, their five-game losing streak dropping them into the American League East cellar and their inability to put runs on the scoreboard becoming a bigger issue with every passing day. Which is why it would be tempting to look at yesterday's 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees and assume the Orioles simply snapped out of their hitting slump with the five-run seventh inning that broke the game open."

Markakis breaks out in O's win vs. Yanks

May 27

Baltimore Sun

"Markakis had three hits, including a tiebreaking solo homer in the sixth inning, and threw out a runner at home plate, and starter Garrett Olson redeemed himself with seven scoreless innings in the Orioles' 6-1 victory in front of an announced 34,928 at Camden Yards. The win ended a discouraging five-game losing streak that had dropped the Orioles (25-25) below .500 and into last place in the American League East."

For Markakis, There's Two Sides to the Orioles' Victory

May 27

Washington Post

"But the difference in winning and losing can sometimes depend on but a single player, especially when that one man possesses the talent to singularly change the course of events for the other 24. "There are certain guys that we rely on so much," Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said. "If they don't do it, it becomes very glaring for us." So after the Orioles ended their losing streak by beating the streaking New York Yankees, 6-1, on a gorgeous Monday afternoon, the most encouraging development wasn't necessarily left-hander Garrett Olson's seven scoreless innings, or Aubrey Huff's clinching three-run homer or even the victory itself."

Markakis aiming to limit K's

May 23

Baltimore Sun

"Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis readily admits he goes through a couple of stretches a season in which he picks up strikeouts in bunches. Those stretches are just lasting a little longer than usual this season. "I've been going in and out of those streaks all year," Markakis said. "I just have to make adjustments and figure it out. I'm still trying to adjust to off-speed pitches, and whenever I do get that fastball to hit, I'm missing it usually. I need to be able to do something with it.""

Movement on youth

May 20

Baltimore Sun

"But teams throughout the majors have been locking up young players at a dizzying pace, assuming the injury/ineffectiveness risk while saving money in the future. Since Jan. 1, 26 players who were at least two years away from free agency have signed multiyear extensions. Markakis, hitting .260 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs this season, wasn't one of them. It has been the signing of Longoria, 22, a highly touted prospect who is hitting .231 with four home runs and 17 RBIs this season, that has sparked debate throughout baseball."