Orioles met with Markakis' agent at GM meetings

The Orioles re-opened contract talks with the agent for right fielder Nick Markakis this afternoon during the general managers' meetings in Phoenix. Executive vice president Dan Duquette met with Markakis' representative, Jamie Murphy, one day after sitting down with Diego Bentz, the agent for outfielder Nelson Cruz. Duquette didn't indicate that a deal with Markakis is close, but it's still expected to be completed after a lull in conversations that lasted more than a week. "We've done a lot of work on that and we're trying to move it along, and I think we've moved it along," he said. Asked if a deal could be finalized soon, Duquette replied, "It's hard to tell. We've got some more work to do." The sides have been discussing a four-year deal for Markakis, 30, the longest-tenured Oriole who lives in Monkton and has stated his preference to remain in the organization. Cruz continues to hold out for a five-year deal. The Orioles reportedly offered three years guaranteed over the summer before he changed agents. Duquette also met with reliever Andrew Miller's representative today, but the left-hander is a hot ticket in free agency and the Orioles will pretty much have to outbid or match offers from every team in baseball. Miller wants a four-year deal and may present the biggest challenge at this point. Continue to ignore the rumor that the Orioles may have offered Billy Butler $30 million over three years. "That's news to me," Duquette said. Teams have inquired about the Orioles' starting pitchers, including Ubaldo Jimenez, who has three years and around $39 million remaining on his deal. "We talked to a number of teams and teams are interested in our pitching because we have decent pitching depth," said Duquette, who will fly home Thursday afternoon. "People like a few of our pitchers and they should. We've got some decent guys." Moving Jimenez is a tough proposition due to his contract. "That's why we do the ground work," said Duquette, who's joined at the meetings by director of baseball administration Tripp Norton and director of major league administration Ned Rice. The Orioles could add a starter later this winter after free agent Johan Santana throws for teams. He continues to work out in Sarasota while rehabbing from Achilles surgery and Duquette left open the possibility of re-signing him. Duquette said assistant athletic trainer Chris Correnti is supervising Santana's workouts. "We're working on his rehab because it's our responsibility," said Duquette, who signed Santana to a minor league contract in March. "We still have an obligation to help with his rehab."