434 replies to this topic

[You Play to Win the Game]

How is a 50 game season enough to convince you a guy is done when he's been as consistent as he's been? And he only played in 37. That's a very SSS in baseball. Covid just ruins everything.

[Old Man]

The Orioles could DH him and he’d bat leadoff. But I imagine $3M is way too rich for them, and they may actually win some more games than they are trying to.

It’s cute when players sign a one day deal to retire with a former team. If I were Nick though I wouldn’t give the O’s the satisfaction or positive publicity. They turned him away quibbling over one year on a deal, his age, trying to pin a future neck injury on him that never happened.

Over in OH land, those of us that were all huge Nick fans, and based on his performance at the time with the team. Most of us, felt that extra year was too long, and that his skillset was declining.

 

Of course, hindsight showed that we was wrong.

 

Nick was one of those easy guys to root for.

[Nigel Tufnel]

From The Athletic article.

 

In his typically understated fashion, the 37-year-old Markakis made up his mind shortly after the 2020 postseason with the Braves ended, and, therefore, the pending free agent didn’t pursue any playing possibilities this winter, though a few teams expressed some interest. He just didn’t tell anyone outside of those closest to him that he was retiring. Until now.

[Mike B]

The Orioles could DH him and he’d bat leadoff. But I imagine $3M is way too rich for them, and they may actually win some more games than they are trying to.

It’s cute when players sign a one day deal to retire with a former team. If I were Nick though I wouldn’t give the O’s the satisfaction or positive publicity. They turned him away quibbling over one year on a deal, his age, trying to pin a future neck injury on him that never happened.

It would be a nice story to bring Nick back, but as you mentioned, the Orioles will not pay the 3M.  I agree, if I were Nick, I would not do the 1 day deal with the Orioles either.

[Mike in STL]

Over in OH land, those of us that were all huge Nick fans, and based on his performance at the time with the team. Most of us, felt that extra year was too long, and that his skillset was declining.

Of course, hindsight showed that we was wrong.

Nick was one of those easy guys to root for.

Some of that sentiment was here too. Same for Nelly Cruz because of his age. That was wrong too. I wanted to keep both. Markakis’ track record, reliability, fundamentally sound, I wouldn’t have quibbled over one year on a deal. Those are the guys that have the longevity, who can do the little things.

[Mike in STL]

From The Athletic article.

If that’s true, then not much else to say, other than I feel like he’s still got it, could be the third best hitter on the O’s today, and obviously has got new priorities, certainly won’t fault him for that. Wish him the best.

[Mike B]

Some of that sentiment was here too. Same for Nelly Cruz because of his age. That was wrong too. I wanted to keep both. Markakis’ track record, reliability, fundamentally sound, I wouldn’t have quibbled over one year on a deal. Those are the guys that have the longevity, who can do the little things.

The decisions that the Orioles made following the 2014 season  were disastrous.  For the 4 year period following the 14 season, seemingly every personel move was wrong.  Nick and Nelson both should have been kept.

[BSLRoseKatz]

The Orioles could DH him and he’d bat leadoff. But I imagine $3M is way too rich for them, and they may actually win some more games than they are trying to.

It’s cute when players sign a one day deal to retire with a former team. If I were Nick though I wouldn’t give the O’s the satisfaction or positive publicity. They turned him away quibbling over one year on a deal, his age, trying to pin a future neck injury on him that never happened.

Giving Nick any PAs for the nostalgia factor when you have Mountcastle, Stewart, Hays, Mullins, Diaz and Santander who could all be part of the future of the roster and would benefit from the reps more would be a pretty silly decision imo

[Mike in STL]

Giving Nick any PAs for the nostalgia factor when you have Mountcastle, Stewart, Hays, Mullins, Diaz and Santander who could all be part of the future of the roster and would benefit from the reps more would be a pretty silly decision imo

Well, Stewart can’t field and isn’t part of the future for me. Diaz may not be a major leaguer ever. Santander in right, I guess. Mullins, nice pinch runner option. Hays in center, Mountcastle at 1st. I would have envisioned Nick being able to play a role until age 40. So 2023, when some think we’re in the drivers seat. Say what you will about his defense, no one played that wall in right better than him.

The Astros had 40 year old Carlos Beltran on their “rebuild” WS team. They actually had a number of older vets to supplement the young guys. I see no reason why Nick on this team is any different than Beltran on the Astros, David Ross on the Cubs, etc...

[BSLRoseKatz]

If Stewart can walk and hit for power that's a pretty useful DH even if he can't field, I think having a 121 OPS+ last season meant he should get more than 92 G and 301 PA to see if he can provide the kind of production that'd be pretty useful in a lineup

 

I'm not opposed to useful veterans but it shouldn't be at a position that seems to have plenty of depth for people who could use 162 games to establish how good they can be going forward. If Markakis magically learned how to play 3B/SS/2B where there isn't anyone who seems major league ready this year then yeah, he'd be a nice pickup, but corner OF/DH has lots of young, inexperienced guys who'd benefit the future of the team more than Markakis

[Mike B]

Nick is not  coming back so it is a moot point, and at this point, it makes no sense for him and the Orioles to have a reunion even if Nick wanted one.

[BSLRoseKatz]

Officially in the Orioles HOF

 

https://www.mlb.com/...s=1714756159460

[Mackus]

This'll be fun, well deserved for Nick.

The presentation for Crowley should just be to play the audio from Manager's Corner.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Officially an Orioles HOF-caliber player.

[BSLChrisStoner]

• Markakis, Crowley honored to be inducted into O's HOF