Happy Anniversary! On July 19, 2013, Nick Markakis drove in Manny Machado with an RBI double in the top of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 3-1 lead over the Rangers. Since that time, Markakis hasn’t recorded another extra base hit this season.
Markakis is hitting .264/.339/.603 between July 20 and August 18 in 121 plate appearances. Markakis has 28 singles and has walked 13 times over that span.
While I no longer expect power out of the Orioles corner outfielder, I did anticipate more than 11 home runs which is what he’s on pace for in 2013. That would be a career low. Markakis hasn’t hit more than 20 home runs since 2008.
He’s making $15 million this season and another $15 million in 2014. Markakis has a $17.5 million club option in 2015, but I can’t imagine that will get picked up.
Across the outfield, Nate McLouth is making $2 million this season while posting very similar numbers at the plate.
- Markakis (29 years old): 121 games, 542 plate appearances, .279/.334/.367
- McLouth (31 years old): 111 games, 464 plate appearances, .272/.341/.407
I would assume that McLouth would get a two or three year deal after this season, hopefully in Baltimore. Despite his numbers against lefties (.227/.299/.375), he’s in a very similar position as Markakis.
Over paid…………….
…I do concur, BUT…
It’s interesting that when the Orioles PAY a player, the fan’s will say he’s overpaid. When they DON’T pay a player they say “they’re cheap”.
Touche….
Right player =right price,,,,,,,,,,Angelos should try the Ozzie old saying,,,,,,,,,,,by the way , an Ace would be the right player but Angelos will not pay the right price , sorry I had to say that , sorry………………..
Who’s the ace we should have picked up?