Carlos Delgado OKs $52M deal with Marlins
By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI (AP) -- Free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado agreed Tuesday to a $52 million, four-year contract with the Florida Marlins, who added the left-handed power they've lacked.
The agreement, which could be worth $64 million over five seasons, was confirmed by a team official who spoke on condition of anonymity. It's expected to become official Thursday after Delgado undergoes a physical and the sides agree to contract language.
Under the terms of the deal under discussion earlier in the day, Delgado would get just $4 million this year, another baseball official told The Associated Press, also on condition of anonymity.
Delgado would get $13.5 million in 2006, $14.5 million in 2007 and $16 million in 2008, and the deal would include a $16 million option for 2009 that would become guaranteed based on how Delgado does in MVP voting and whether he earns postseason MVP awards.
If the option doesn't become guaranteed, Florida would have the right to exercise a $12 million option. If the option is declined, Delgado would get a $4 million buyout.
Delgado chose the Marlins over offers from the New York Mets, Texas and Baltimore.
The Marlins made an initial offer of $35 million for three years, the richest per-season deal in franchise history, then went even higher to win the bidding. The contract will push their payroll above $56 million for the first time.
They landed the most formidable left-handed power hitter in their 12-year history. Delgado, 32, hit at least 30 homers each of the past eight seasons in Toronto. Last season he batted .269 last season for Toronto with 32 homers and 99 RBIs.
The deal was sealed 10 days after Delgado flew from his native Puerto Rico to Miami and spent 5 1/2 hours with Marlins officials, including owner Jeffrey Loria.
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The Marlins are now back to a top tier team. Beckett is a straight up stud, and now they have solid hitting. Braves and Marlins will no doubt have some good battles for first this year. Whoever of the two doesn't win the division, will win the wild card.
I just dont ing believe this still.
We are back ers. Loria must of found the god damn Mona Lisa behind his sofa.
first year is only 4 million.
Marlins this year are still paying 11 million total in dead money to
Mike Hampton and Ivan Rodriguez according to ESPN.
Good pickup by the Marlins.
Now the only questions they have are there middle relief.
There are some questions about their middle relief. They signed alfonseca, who will help. Of course he is not too dominant, but still a solid pick up.
Tim Spooneybarger is good, he's got the skillz, but is coming off of tommy john, so he is a bit of a question mark.
Logan Kensing is definately a guy who could make some noise as a set up man if he is not the 5th starter. They would probably be better off having him in the pen this season, since their starting is very solid with Becket, Burnett, Leiter, and Willis. Valdez could be that 5th starter.
they have just signed Jim Mecir to help the out the pen. he had a 1.80 era in 55 appearances last season with Oakland. the marlins are looking mighty strong.
Very solid club, now. Pennant contender.
good times keep gettin better.
it all hinges on Dontrell Willis to start pitching more consistent, and if Ismael Valdes doesnt pitch like ass.
Also the front of the rotation's health is key as well.
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