Markakis' agent, Jamie Murphy, would not comment on the negotiations, which were tabled in December when Murphy and Markakis chose to see how the winter market developed.
Since then, Boston Red Sox second baseman and reigning American League Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia, who has one year less of service time than Markakis, agreed to a six-year, $40.5 million extension. And free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira received an eight-year, $180 million deal from the New York Yankees as well as a seven-year, $140 million offer from the Orioles.
After failing to sign Teixeira, the Orioles are still in the market for a first baseman, specifically a right-handed hitter or switch-hitter, and potential targets include Richie Sexson, Ty Wigginton and Rocco Baldelli.
