Now that Nick Markakis is safely locked up through at least the 2014 season, it's only logical for the Orioles - and their fans - to turn their attention to second baseman Brian Roberts, whose contract situation and status with the team has been a dramatic production for the past couple of years.
He's heading into the final year of a three-year contract that would have been longer if Roberts didn't have some doubts two years ago about the direction of the team. The Orioles appeared close to trading him to the Chicago Cubs last winter when they were disposing of Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard for nice returns, and they considered an earlier deal with the Atlanta Braves for Adam LaRoche and Marcus Giles that they're pretty happy they didn't make. It is against this backdrop that Orioles president Andy MacPhail must try to convince Roberts that the team has never really wanted to trade him and Roberts must decide whether he wants to stick around to see whether MacPhail's rebuilding program will give him a chance to reach the postseason.
It's possible neither of them really has a better option.
By most accounts, the trade market for Roberts is not anywhere close to what it was a year ago, and the proof is in the fact that a pretty good free-agent second baseman named Orlando Hudson has yet to sign with anyone. Roberts has perhaps a little more game, but is anyone going to give up three or four good prospects for him along with what it would take to re-sign him when there's a suitable free-agent alternative?
The possibility of a decent deal becomes even more problematic when you consider that the Orioles need to get a good middle infielder in return or they'll be left with a gaping hole in their improved defensive alignment (with no minor league option apparent) if they deal him before the season. Which leaves them with two workable options: wait until the midseason trading period and hope a contending team develops a dynamic need for a top-flight leadoff hitter or pony up what it will take to sign him to an extension that keeps him here until the Orioles are in position to compete.
Based on the current market conditions, I believe the Orioles need to make an aggressive attempt to re-sign Roberts during the next three weeks and essentially put the decision entirely in his hands.
