BALTIMORE — Right fielder Nick Markakis’ $66.1 million, six-year contract was finalized Wednesday by the Baltimore Orioles.
The agreement covers three years the 25-year-old 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 RBI for the Orioles last season, his third in the majors. He played in 157 games, drew 99 walks and led all AL outfielders with 17 assists.
His deal calls for a $2.1 million signing bonus: $1 million payable upon approval and $1.1 million in April 2010.
Markakis gets $3 million this season, $6.75 million in 2010, $10.25 million in 2011, $12 million in 2012 and $15 million each in 2013 and 2014.
The deal includes a $17.5 million mutual option for 2015. He would get a $2 million buyout if the club declines but no buyout if he turns it down — which would reduce the total value of the agreement to $64.1 million.
Orioles officials and Markakis planned a Thursday news conference to discuss the deal.
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