Reality: The O’s and Nick Markakis are close to agreeing on a new deal.
Perception: Markakis will very likely finish his career as a Baltimore Oriole. Jeff Passan from Yahoo reported Thursday that his sources say the Orioles and Markakis have made significant progress on a four-year deal believed to be worth about $10-$12 million per year.
Earlier in the week it was said that Markakis agent was meeting with other teams about his client. However, they were just trying to get leverage. It’s likely that other teams weren’t really serious, as they all knew Markakis wanted to stay in Baltimore, so they weren’t even going to waste their time.
The bet here is that Nick “Ho Hum” Markakis will re-sign with the Birds by the end of the weekend and finish his career in Baltimore.
Reality: The Orioles will try hard to sign Nelson Cruz but it just might not be enough.
Perception: It was reported that the Orioles offered Cruz a three-year deal before he hit the free agent market. That offer may still be on the table by the Orioles but Cruz is going to see what else might be out there.
Cruz talked about loving Baltimore and Baltimore would love to have him back but two parties will only stay together in the perfect situation. It’s too hard to tell if Cruz will be back just yet…it just depends on how desperate another team might be.
Reality: Orioles officials denied reports that they offered a contract to Billy Butler.
Perception: Butler will not be an Oriole. Rumors were floating around the GM meetings Wednesday that a team had an offer on the table to Butler, and speculation was that it was the Orioles. However, Orioles officials denied that any offer had be given.
I see how Butler would be a fit for the Orioles, especially if Nelson Cruz is not re-signed. However, I think the Orioles will look to spend more money on their pitching staff then they will on a player like Butler.
Reality: The Orioles were also rumored to be in talks with A.J. Burnett.
Perception: More rumors swirled Thursday that the Orioles were in talks to sign Burnett. Roch Kubatko of MASN tweeted that he texted with an Orioles official who said that it was news to him. Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun also said his sources said the Orioles did not have an offer on the table to Burnett.
Listen, we went this route last offseason. Burnett lives in Maryland and the Orioles tried to get him to sign with the O’s but he choose not to. And after the season that he had, I’m glad he didn’t. Let’s hope the Orioles feel the same way that most fans do this year… it’s time to move on. Burnett won’t be an Oriole.
Reality: The O’s are said to be looking to deal Ubaldo Jimenez.
Perception: Jimenez will be an Oriole next year.
MLB.com reported earlier this week that the Orioles were talking to a few teams about Jimenez at the GM meetings in Phoenix. But Jimenez signed a four-year, $50 million contract before last season, and then went and pitched to a 6-9 record with a 4.81 ERA in 25 games. I can’t imagine a team taking Jimenez, not unless the Orioles paid a huge chunk of that contract. If the O’s are on the line for the money anyway, why not keep him on the roster and see if he can turn it around?
But, if by chance Dan Duquette can actually trade Jimenez and get something in return, then he is not only Executive of the Year…he is Executive of the Century.
Reality: It was a magical season to be an Orioles fan.
Perception: Think about this for a moment. The Orioles won the AL East with the second best record in the American League. They won the ALDS in decisive fashion. They were the only team to have three Gold Glove award winners. They had baseball’s HR champion as well as the Executive of the Year and the AL Manager of the year. All of that while missing arguably three of their best players.
Looking back, it truly was a great year to be an O’s fan.
