The Orioles have been open about the notion that they would like to extend the contracts of Markakis and second baseman Brian Roberts. But as of the second week of November, the club had failed to close in on a deal with either of their two five-tool players.

"I would say we're still in the opening stages," Orioles president Andy MacPhail told The Sun. "It's one of those things where if the two parties are motivated to do something, you generally find a common ground. We'll see. We're still talking in terms of length and duration. We haven't thrown any numbers around."

MacPhail said talks with Markakis are further along than those with Roberts, who will be a free agent at the end of the 2009 season. With the less-pressing talks moving along more quickly, it would lend credence to the idea that Roberts may again be available on the winter trade market.

Roberts did not attend the Orioles' fan rally on Nov. 12, but Markakis did, sporting the Orioles new road jersey at the unveiling of a handful of uniform and logo changes for the upcoming season.

"It's real slow right now," Markakis said of negotiations. "It's been a slow-moving process."