Nick Markakis became the latest young star to have his contract renewed, following Jeff Francoeur, Prince Fielder and others. In two years, this situation might become a full-fledged crisis for mid-market and small-market teams, because it is clear the young players will be looking to cash in (as is their absolute right) at the very high level established by Ryan Howard's $10 million arbitration victory, rather than sign a nice, tidy, modest long-term deal.
What this means is that within two years you might see these same players dangled on the trade market. Consider the plight of the Brewers, who have three rising stars in Fielder,
Ryan Braun and
Rickie Weeks and cannot possibly afford to pay all of them $10 million to $15 million a year in 2011.
The Orioles are playing
a dangerous game with Markakis, Dan Connolly writes.
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Buster Olney
