Markakis on the youth and O's future
Nick Markakis has had four very solid seasons as the O's right fielder.
Before he put the 2009 season to bed, he shared some thoughts on the year and the club's future.
He believes the current crop of young players is solid and the club's future is bright.
"Yes, absolutely. You want to win, but the situation with this team right now (in 2009), that was not the top concern. We have young guys who got their feet wet this year. Some guys got hurt like Nolan. I see progress in just about everybody and that is the biggest thing right now. I see good things from this group we have."
When asked what the team needs to add, Markakis focused on pitching.
"Look at Tampa's rotation. Their first year together, some of those guys struggled a bit; now they are some of the best in the game. Our younger pitchers are going in the right direction. They have great stuff - you guys see it like we do. Once everything falls into place, it's going to be a lot of fun around here."
Markakis gives high marks to manager Dave Trembley.
"He handled the young guys well this year. He can only do so much. The rest is up to the players. He's a good manager, he sticks up for his players. He was put into a tough spot this year with injuries and a lot of different things, but he's done a good job."
He was asked if the O's need to acquire a big bat to protect him better in the lineup.
"It's safe to say we could use a nice big right-handed bat in the lineup. But if everything plans out, we have great hitters here right now. We have a guy that can be a power-hittting switch-hitter in Wieters. We have the makings of a good lineup."
Here are Markakis' numbers to date:
2006: .291/16/62.......72 runs.......351 OBP......448 slugging
2007: .300/23/112.....97 runs.......362 OBP......485 slugging
2008: .306/20/87.....106 runs.......406 OBP......491 slugging
2009: .293/18/101.....94 runs.......347 OBP......453 slugging
If you average that, Markakis' numbers for an average season would be a batting average of .298 with 19 homers, 91 RBI, an OBP of .367 and a slugging percentage of .470.
Here are some questions for you about Nick. Where is his best spot in the batting order? Last year he hit third 100 times and fourth 47 times.
Can the somewhat quiet Markakis become a future leader of the club?
Markakis will turn 26 in November. He should be coming into the prime years of his career. How much better, if at all, can his offensive numbers get?
Do you consider Markakis untouchable or would you include him in a deal?
 |
Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Steve,
As I see it, Markakis will be a quiet leader, leading by example more than a vocal leader, he just isn't that type of player.
Markakis can either be status quo or better, its up to what the Orioles can do about getting a big RBI,homerun producing bat behind him. 3rd would be the best place for him. If he has a 125 RBI 35 hr presents behind him, he could hit .330 with 25 hrs, 115 runs scored, kinda guy. If not, then Markakis will get pitched around like he was in 09.
Untouchable. He is one of very few players who I believe you set the franchise back if you deal him.
First, no one is untouchable, but the only way I trade Nick is if a true #1 pitcher, still young is available, ala Lincecum, F.Hernandez, Verlander, Grienke. Since most of those guys are themselves close to untouchable, I doubt Nick goes anywhere.
I think Nick is best suited to hitting in the 3 spot, with the current makeup of the lineup. I am concerned with Nick's decline in OBP and slugging in 2009. If he was making a concerted effort to be more aggressive, I could live with the 347 OBP, if there was a corresponding rise in SLG. But when both drop, that's a troubling sign. Hopefully, it was just a product of the mental strain of playing so many meaningless games, but if he doesn't bounce back in the beginning of 2010, he may get passed in the lineup by Jones, Reimold and Weiters, and find himself hitting 6th or so.
#1 - I'd hit Markakis 2nd. He is better when taking pitches and waiting for good pitches to hit but seems to press more in the 3rd and 4th hole, like he needs to be a run producer from those spots.
#2 - He can be a leader just by playing hard everyday like Reimold and not letting balls drop between him and Roberts.
#3 - His numbers would be better if he had more protection in the line-up and better hitters at the bottom who got on base more.
#4 - Markakis is untouchable. Why trade a young valuable piece of the puzzle? the guy is a cornerstone player and seems like a good person.
He is untouchable.
Nick is a classic #3 hitter. It has been slightly disappointing that his HR numbers have not gone up - but he hits for average and gets on base. And, as you mentioned, Steve, if he had a feared bat behind him, all of his numbers would go up. Wieters or Jones may prove to bet that guy, but I think most pitchers will pitch around Nick and take their chances with the younger guys right now. Put a bopper back there, and that all changes. Now, we just need to figure out who!
Here are my Do Not Trade players on the ML roster: Markakis, Jones, Wieters, Roberts, Tillman, Matusz, Bergeson, Reimold. Anyone else should be available for a fair price. In the minors Bell, Arrieta, Synder, Waring should not be traded.
I would part with Markakis reluctantly, not just because of his bat, but because of his positive attitude and relationship with Roberts. Trading him could cause morale problems, but outfield seems to be the one spot where we can afford to trade. Riemold, Pie Markakis and Adam Jones all provide a bright, long term future. First base and an established home run hitter seems to be the missing link. However, there would have to be a good fit with a team that needed an outfielder. Under the right conditions I think you would have to consider trading any of the four young outfielders.
He is "un freaking touchable". At the price we got him for with that production. He is only going to get better. You could not get him on the open market for what the O's signed him for. Someone else with that talent would not even come here. That is why it is so important to lock up some of these guys before they are free agents. Everyone knows we can not sign talented free agents. The only hope it to grow them and retain them.
Steve,
I wouldn't deal Nick under any circumstance. Not only does he put up good numbers, but he also doesn't exhibit any negatives with regard to his personality. The Orioles usually avoid the prima donnas (Sosa was an exception) and we seem to have shed the guys who couldn't avoid banned substances. In addition to the stats you shared, I'd like to see his assists listed and where he finished in the league in that category. I don't think Nick's defense is well respected around the league simply because the Orioles are so bad. It amazes me how many guys continue to test his arm and pay the price.
I'll go so far to say that the Orioles should avoid dealing any outfielder on the current roster. There are some young guys they could offer (Angle for one). The outfield ain't broke....so don't fix it!
Jim Carter
Untochable if we get a 4 hitter nick will hit 30 homers drive in 120 runs and is a gold glover.
Steve
I would say Markakis Weiters and Jones are the 3 untouchables among everday players.
Nick deserves a gold glove as well. He was first or second among AL outfielders with 13 assists this year!
Markakis ultimately isn't untouchable, but he's about as untouchable as a player on the O's can get.
As far as his batting order spot, he's an ideal no 2 for this club. When he's playing to his talents, he has an excellent OBP and is less of a power threat than a gap hitter.
If the O's could put BRob and Nick at the top of the order, that would be one of the best 1-2's in the game.
I'd have him hit 2nd or 3rd in the order because of his high OBP. I don't like him as the clean up hitter. I'd rather put someone who hits more home runs in the clean up spot, maybe Jones or Wieters.
He can lead by example. That is the best way to lead.
I don't consider him untouchable since we have so many outfielders, but we'd have to get a blockbuster return, and I wouldn't be shopping him.
At times this year Nick has looked really bad. But, in all fairness, his worse times came after Huff was traded. Nick, in my opinion isnot a 4th place hitter. He is more suited to hit 2nd or 3rd. Third, would probably be his best spot in the line up. So, that big right handed bat would fit nicely in the 4th spot, right behind Markakis. Nick could be the same type of leader that Cal Ripken was. He leads by example. He is not a vocal person. I feel Wieters maybe that type of leader the O's desperately need. If not Matt, maybe someone coming in, may fit that role. Then again, I always thought Brian Roberts could be the Derek Jeter of the Orioles. I guess I was wrong, since he has never took that role.
Right now, he's untouchable. I think this year was an off year for him. He seemed a little impatient at the plate, which hurt his OBP and slugging. But I think he'll get back to his old self next year (assuming he has a little more protection too).
Next year I'm seeing a line of:
.303/25/110 ... 100 runs ... .390 OBP ... .495 slugging
Of course, I'm hoping Adam Jones goes back to a more patient approach too. I think in the long run, because of his frame, which allows for more power than Markakis', Jones is gonna be more of a number 3 or 5 hitter. Depending on Reimold's progress, we could see the same thing from him as well. Markakis might be moved back into the 2 spot for a bit (I'm not talking next year), which I don't think is bad thing at all. But because of his age (I'm wondering if he'll be peaking shortly), I see Reimold moving into the 6 hole in a few years. But maybe I'm looking too far ahead, assuming a great deal, and reading into things too much...
Hey Steve-
Thanks for keeping the baseball-hungry fans of Baltimore well-fed. Any thoughts on Tony Butler. Once upon a time, he was more highly ranked than Chris Tillman. Have injuries robbed him of the stuff that is necessary to compete in the majors, or is it just going to be a lot harder for him to make it now? Next year should be a very big year for him.
______________________________________________________
Butler had arthroscopic left shoulder surgery in April and did return to pitch in August. In a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast team he went 0-1, 2.92 in 12 innings. In one relief outing at Aberdeen he gave up five runs in 2/3 of an inning.
I'm sure the fact he came back to pitch in a game was big. In 2008 he pitched at Delmarva. Hopefully he'll be full go, 100 percent, comes next March.
Steve,
He is an ideal 3rd hitter in a lineup because of his high batting average and ability to drive in runs. He also would hit well batting 5th or 6th.
I would not trade him because he is a rare two way player-offensive and defensive Right Fielder. He should be a career Oriole.
God bless,
M.T.P.
Northern VA Oriole Fan
Its so rare that you find ball players who come through baltimore and are vocal about wanting to stay here. Sherill was one of those guys and Nick and BROB seem to be those guys as well. Hard to trade away players who support what we are trying to do here. We need to start attracting these types of guys. Hopefully Wieters and the like will want to have a career like Cal and Brooks and finish up where they started. I will always respect that.
____________________________________________________________
That's a great point, Craig. Not only is Markakis a real talent but he wants to be here, will move his family here and wants to win here in Baltimore. That should count for a lot. - Steve
I think he would make for the best #2 hitter in the game. He's a patient LEFTY line drive hitter with good pop that uses the whole field....He hasnt displayed enough consistent power to be a #3 in a good lineup, in ours however, he will probably need to hit there, and I would hit Jones cleanup to give him protection.
Nick is untouchable, but I would trade him for a young ace the likes of Greinke, Lincecum, or Felix Hernandez.
Markakis is untouchable, definetely. Also, hit Markakis 3rd. He can do everything with the bat, hits good in the clutch and his numbers will improve with better protection in the lineup. Here is my O's 2010 lineup.
Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Free agent
Reimold
Weiters
Scott
Bell/Wigginton
Izturis
Could be awesome!
Untouchable - Craig said it all.
Nice post Craig!