Baltimore, MD (My Sportsbook) - The Baltimore Orioles announced the signing of outfielder Nick Markakis to a six-year contract extension on Wednesday worth a reported $66 million. The Baltimore Sun first reported the agreement with financials on Monday. The club did not announce official terms of the agreement. The deal avoids Markakis' first year of arbitration eligibility and takes him three years beyond his first chance at free agency -- keeping him with the team through the 2014 season. The contract, as reported, would stand as the third-richest in team history behind only Miguel Tejada's six-year $72 million deal and Albert Belle's five-year pact for $65 million. A former first-round pick, Markakis hit a career-high .306 last season while driving in 87 runs with 20 home runs. He achieved career-bests of 106 runs scored, 99 walks, a .406 on-base percentage and a .491 slugging percentage in what was his third season with the club. In addition, his 17 outfield assists led the Majors. The 25-year-old is a .299 career hitter with 59 homers, 261 runs batted in and 275 runs scored over 465 games for Baltimore. |
