Nick Markakis reached a preliminary agreement on a $66 million, six-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, meanwhile Ryan Madson struck a $12 million, three-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies as players and teams rushed Monday to settle salary arbitration cases.The deals with Markakis and Madson were contingent on the players passing physicals, a pair of separate people familiar with the agreements said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreements weren't final.
Markakis' deal, the second-richest in team history, covers three years he would have been eligible for arbitration and the first three after he would have been eligible for free agency. Markakis hit a career-high .306 with 20 homers and 87 RBIs for the Orioles last season, his third in the majors. He played in 157 games, drew 99 walks and led AL outfielders with 17 assists.
Madson was 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 76 games in 2008. The right-hander played a key role in a strong bullpen, helping the Phillies win their first World Series championship since 1980. Madson finished the season as the primary setup man for closer Brad Lidge, who was 48-for-48 in save chances, including the postseason.
The deal calls for Madson to receive a $1 million signing bonus, $2 million this season, $4.5 million in 2010 and $4.5 million in 2011. He would have been eligible for free agency after next season, and the deal is unusual because many of agent Scott Boras' clients opt to become free agents before agreeing to long-term contracts.
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