Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis. (William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports)
The Baltimore Orioles are close to re-signing outfielder Nick Markakis to a four-year contract, the New York Post reported.
The deal would be worth about $44 million, according to the report. The contract could also include some deferred money.
The Orioles declined its $17.5 million option on Markakis, making him a free agent, but it was always believed he would stay with Baltimore. Manager Buck Showalter said last month that the Orioles planned to bring him back next season.
Markakis, who turns 31 on Monday, hit .276 with 14 homers this past season. He had a .342 on-base percentage and recently won his second Gold Glove.
As a top-10 draft pick who was considered an outstanding prospect, Markakis looked like a long-term star. He has been productive, but has fallen short of star startus. Over the past three seasons he hit .279 with a .396 slugging percentage and .738 OPS.
