Orioles-Markakis talks serious on 4-year deal

The O’s intend on keeping Nick Markakis in Baltimore, and the feeling appears to be mutual. (USATSI)

PHOENIX — The Orioles and longtime outfielder Nick Markakis are in talks again, and there seems to be optimism again to get a four-year deal done.

Talks were rekindled here Wednesday between Orioles GM Dan Duquette and Markakis’ agent Jamie Murphy after about a week’s break, and serious progress was said to have been made. There was a lull in talks after the sides were reported to have been making progress a week ago, but it is hard to envision Markakis, a beloved Oriole, leaving at this point.

Markakis has drawn some outside interest, but one hurdle for him likely was always the belief that he’d wind up back with the Orioles. Orioles owner Peter Angelos has always been a Markakis admirer.

Markakis, who turns 31 Monday, hit .276 with 14 home runs in 2014, and won his second Gold Glove award.

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.