Report: Orioles interested in Melky Cabrera as 'fallback option' to Markakis

The Baltimore Orioles have set a contingency plan should they be unable to come to terms with outfielder Nick Markakis. 

Roch Kubatko of MASN is reporting that the Orioles view Melky Cabrera as a "fallback option" should they be unable to broker a deal with two-time Gold Glove winner. 

Markakis and the Orioles were said to be making significant progress on a four-year deal earlier this month but talks have slowed and the two sides were not close to a deal as of last week. The 31-year-old has spent his entire nine-year career in Baltimore but became a free agent after the team declined his $17.5-million team option. 

The switch-hitting Cabrera spent the past two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and is reportedly seeking a $50-million deal, with the Chicago White Sox having also expressed interest. The 30-year-old enjoyed one of the best seasons of his 10-year career in 2014. In 139 games, Cabrera slashed .301/.351/.458 with 16 home runs and 73 RBIs. 

The Blue Jays extended Cabrera a qualifying offer which he rejected, meaning whichever team signs him will have to surrender a draft pick as compensation.