eMailbag: Carlos Delgado 2009 Option

August 22, 2008 at 11:12 am · 108 comments

by Matthew Cerrone

So far today, several people have e-mailed me to point out that Carlos Delgado’s team option for 2009 is worth $16 million, not $12 million, as I wrote earlier today.

According to published reports, Delgado’s option jumps from $12 million to $16 million only if he finishes in the top tier of the National League MVP voting, and/or if he wins the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP.

I wrote $12 million, because I think it is fair to assume he will not finish among the top candidates in the NL MVP voting, as he is 13th in home runs in the National League, ninth in RBI, and around 80th in batting average.

I suppose, assuming the Mets end up in the post-season, that Delgado could win a post-season honor, but I am not sure that will be enough on its own, based on the complicated point-structure in his contract, to bump up his option value.

{ 108 comments }

Gasface77 August 22, 2008 at 11:16 am

“…as he is 13th in home runs in the National League, ninth in RBI…”

Wow…it’s not great, but who would have ever expected that, especially considering his April and May.

ravi3 August 22, 2008 at 11:17 am

Frankly, if he is able to accomplish any of the goals which would trigger the raise, I don’t think I could really complain.

patrick August 22, 2008 at 11:20 am

exactly

patrick August 22, 2008 at 11:18 am

That he is in the top 10 in RBIs is stunning.

kermit-frog August 22, 2008 at 11:18 am

i hope they do not pick up delgados option. too much money, and im not positive but is he a type A or type B free agent?

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:21 am

Uhm so you do not want to pick up his option for basically 8 million. Then you want to buy him out for 4 million then offer him arbitration so we can get the picks. So you want to pay Delgado 20 million to be our 1B next season. Nice GM work there.
Too much money to spend 8 million more and get Delgado? As opposed to who?

joeysmets August 23, 2008 at 9:30 am

hmm.. Mark Teixeira ever cross ur mind? spending 8 million on delgado could be used to plant in another 12-15 million to get one of the top 5 best first baseman in the league…who also happens to come with a better bat and glove than delgado could hope to have at his age.. i know the money seems large but with the departing contracts of perdo martinez, delgado, oliver perez, moises alou, and el duque.. its not so much even if we do bring back Oli (which we better hes a stud)

kermit-frog August 22, 2008 at 11:18 am

he is also a POS

CitizenSnips August 22, 2008 at 11:20 am

He’s sure hitting pretty good then!

atlantasnumber1metsfan August 22, 2008 at 11:21 am

Hmm…Kermit, you have a street fight with Carlos? A little personal tension there huh sport?

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:22 am

Based on what the opinion of a frog?

Nightlife August 22, 2008 at 11:24 am

Its post like these that keep me coming back here everyday!

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:29 am

I always thought that Kermit was the smart one in the muppets. Maybe you should call yourself the Chef. Nordenferndarnberger.

kingman 26 August 22, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Actually, he is probably one of the very best human beings in sports today…smart, caring, charitable, gutsy with his beliefs, and he is revered in his homeland for his charitable work.

toomanyuniforms August 22, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Translation: “He agrees with Kingman 26 politically. Ergo, he must be one of the greatest humanitarians in sport.”

Apart from the politcal stances, I can’t see how he’s a better human being than any other of the many very charitible, solid individuals playing baseball. Sometimes, we only notice the bad apples, and ignore the good ones.

the clap August 22, 2008 at 1:33 pm

No need to bend over backwards parsing kingman 26’s lauding of Delgado’s humanitarian efforts to the point of ridicule. Aside from your extrapolating “gutsy with his beliefs” to mean having an anti-war, pro-peace stance to envelope the whole realm of political beliefs, there was nothing said to even bring politics up. Unless “smart, caring, charitable” and being revered is reserved for only one side of the political roundtable.

kingman 26 August 22, 2008 at 2:57 pm

Too many uniforms, not enough brains.

Delgado is regarded as a hero in Puerto Rico for his charitable stances. He has been regarded as a hard-worker and an outstanding teammate his entire career. He spends a LOT of his time and money giving. NEVER a hint of steroids, drugs, strippers, arrests, violence, etc. Sure, there’s lot of great guys in sports, but Delgado stands among the best.

And politically, he is unafraid to stand up for what he believes in, instead of just being afraid politically, and only being concerned with making every last penny he can from any corporation which will write him a check, a la Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, etc.

toomanyuniforms August 22, 2008 at 3:59 pm

Wow, what a hero. I’m sure Nike was just dying for a Carlos Delgado to complete their “Dream Trio” of Woods, Jordan, Delgado, but he turned it down for humanitarian reasons. Give it a rest. I just find amusing how everyone who agrees with Delgado’s political stance immediately elevates him to Gandhi-like status. I suppose dogging it for Randolph was part of that?

kingman 26 August 22, 2008 at 4:52 pm

I find it amusing that you think that because you hate Delgado’s politics, that therefore he loafed under Willie, when perhaps his injury wasn’t healed yet—how in the world would you know if he was loafing??

I also find it amusing that you can’t seem to understand my argument—of course I did not even hint that Delgado was as good as Woods or Jordan—just that Delgado isn’t only obsessed with making every last dollar from any corporate source possible, like Woods and Jordan and so many others. Delgado sincerely gives a LOT back in many ways.

Gina August 22, 2008 at 11:23 am

I have no problem bringing him back as long as they have some sort of plan B. Who isn’t a 40 year old AAAA player or something.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:26 am

I think we have decent options with Evans and Murphy. Not to mention bech players like Easley and Tatis if they are back.

Gina August 22, 2008 at 11:30 am

I’d prefer a more reliable bat than Easley, and I have no idea if Murphy or Tatis have ever played first base. I was thinking someone like Eric Hinske

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:31 am

Murphy has played 1B. Tatis can. Can Hinske play any other position besides 1B and 3B? I think with our team it’s more important to have guys who can play mulitiple positions. If you want defense for 1B as a sub then Evans is your man.

Gina August 22, 2008 at 11:35 am

Hinske has played most of his games in the outfield this year, most in rf, then lf, then first, and then third.

Ceetar August 22, 2008 at 12:26 pm

yeah, that was the biggest issue with signing Alou this year, no backup. Although had they brought Tatis up right away after Pagan got hurt.. But so far it looks like Evans/Murphy..even maybe Carp could be that plan B/C.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:45 pm

Well I thought that they were ok with the Alou situation. No one expected him to play 5 innings this season. They had Pagan, Endy, Easley and Anderson who had all played LF before. What they did not expect was for Church and Pagan to be out for so long and Alou to do nothing. Think if Church never gets injured then most likely we would have Tatis in LF and would have never seen Murphy this season. So I guess somethings work out ok.

patrick August 22, 2008 at 11:27 am

lets win the division and have some playoff games and then we can all argue who should and should not be here and who is a POS.

To me, if all continues to go well down the stretch you stand pat with what you have, with a healthy Church in rightfield next year and you can consider a platoon of Evans/Carp in Left, move Murphy to 2B and have a really solid offensive lineup. Evans can play some first and give Delgado more rest too.

But lets finish 2008 first.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:28 am

Agreed, however like it or not Castillo will most likely be the 2B man next season. However, if you go with a platoon in LF and keep Delgado you have some real money to upgrade the pitching staff.

Nate W. August 22, 2008 at 11:45 am

…and a gap you could drive a tank through between 1B and 2B.

I fear for Pelfrey with that IF behind him…

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:52 am

That’s what it was supposed to be this season. It’s not like Easley can get those balls either and we have no idea if Murphy can actually play 2B.

kistics August 22, 2008 at 11:54 am

How about platooning of Argenis Reyes and Castillo. If it were upto me, I’d rather have Ar Reyes playing 2B most of the time and have Catillo back him up, he’s just getting paid too much to be a backup I guess

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:56 am

A. Reyes really is not a good hitter at all. He has had about 3 games that he looks like a hitter.

Gina August 22, 2008 at 11:59 am

If we, for whatever reason, go into the season with A. Reyes getting significant playing time we’re going to need to add a bat to compensate for the blackhole in the line-up.

beltran the warrior August 22, 2008 at 12:00 pm

a-rey sure ain’t no ruben gotay, that’s for sure!

kistics August 22, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Well Castillo isn’t any better offensively than A Reyes. At least Reyes is young and has pretty decent range defensively.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Are you serious about A. Reyes being a better offensive guy? His OBS is about 60 points lower and his SLG is even lower than a guy who bunts every AB. A. Reyes is a terrible offensive player and should not start for any team in the MLB at 2B for an extended period.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:08 pm

As for the Ruben Gotay comment, you are right Reyes can at least field. Gotay could not hit or field.

kistics August 22, 2008 at 12:13 pm

I’m not saying that a Reyes is a better offensive guy. My point is that Castillo is getting old and is breaking down. So why not platoon him with A Reyes to get some rests. Plus, I think A Reyes is a better defensive player than a bum knee Castillo.

Also it seems like that A Reyes hustles every time he goes out there and you can see that he is hungry for more playing time. I really don’t see that in Castillo though.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:20 pm

Comment by kistics
2008-08-22 12:02:44
Well Castillo isn’t any better offensively than A Reyes

So actually you did say that.

Gina August 22, 2008 at 12:22 pm

You wouldn’t platoon them because of the huge offensive drop off. Usually when you platoon players its because their stats are uneven against lefty/righty pitchers. With a. reyes his offensive stats are just all around bad.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:26 pm

I guess it could work as Reyes is a little better against RH and traditionally Castillo is a little better against LHP. However, the thought of having A. Reyes get that many AB’s makes me not want to eat my lunch. I would be surprised if he is on the team next season. Much less starting.

mikey_FF August 22, 2008 at 1:34 pm

Deja Vu all over again.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 3:07 pm

Whats up Yogi? Notice this time I never said Castillo was good. It’s not about him. I just don’t like A. Reyes but will tollerate him because Castillo is injured. Now if Castillo comes in this week and it’s clear that he is still injured it’s only a few days until September call ups and Reyes can I guess have the spot back.

patrick August 22, 2008 at 11:45 am

I heard that about Mota too, don’t be surprised if Castillo does not come back

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:51 am

Little bit easier to move a reliever with 1 year 4 million left than an injured IF with 3 years 18 million left. Maybe if you took on a guy like Melvin Mora or Carlos Silva. It would have to be a big salary dump.

beltran the warrior August 22, 2008 at 12:01 pm

iit’s gonna take more than that when you consider mora’s about to have a 100+ rbi season.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:05 pm

You think they really want to pay him 9 million next season?

BigWillie August 22, 2008 at 1:09 pm

O’s already have roberts

beltran the warrior August 22, 2008 at 1:10 pm

i’m not saying that but mcphail isn’t going to give him away either.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 1:21 pm

I know they already have Roberts but they will be trading him to someone. Us or not, thus they would need a 2nd baseman.

kistics August 22, 2008 at 11:52 am

Can Murphy play 2B?

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:56 am

Played it for about 15 games in the minors and committed 5 errors. So we don’t really know.

metsrbest August 22, 2008 at 11:29 am

If Delgado wins the MVP of the World Series I will gladly be in favor of the Mets picking up his option for 16 million.

dave27 August 22, 2008 at 11:31 am

Let’s remember Delgado was sitting on the 2006 NLCS MVP if they ended up pulling it out.

reyesnwright August 22, 2008 at 11:36 am

If Delgado wins the NLCS MVP and the World Series MVP pay him whatever the hell he wants. He could hit .220 with 10 HR and 60 RBI the next year and he would still forever be a Mets Hero.

Drobstad August 22, 2008 at 11:45 am

Sign Delgado, Let Evans develope for one more year, then let Evans take the job after next season.

BigWillie August 22, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Am I the only one who thinks Murphy and Evans should be moved in the offseason?

Coming off productive MLB years
Not at all highly regarded
Lack power and speed (which you like to see from your youth)

Let some other chump take the bait

Dafatone80 August 22, 2008 at 3:21 pm

If we can get something of significance for them, sure. Even if it’s one/both of them and another prospect for a real player, I’m fine with it.

If we trade them for garbage, then bah. And yeah, they haven’t shown a ton of power or speed, but murphy doesn’t run terribly, both of them have shown at least a tiny bit of power, and they both show patience at the plate. Especially murphy.

I’m more excited about Murphy’s ability to draw walks batting in front of Wright than I am that he’s hitting 400. Though I don’t mind the hitting 400, either.

patrick August 22, 2008 at 11:47 am

Were you at Shea Stadium in 1987 at all? By early June Gary Carter became the focus of boos.

Tidewater August 22, 2008 at 11:48 am

Carter wasn’t the MVP of anything.

patrick August 22, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Yes Carter had nothing to do with the Mets success, the point is the fans are and will always be fickle. Yankees fans booed Derek Jeter, they booed Mickey Mantle, anyone can be booed in this town.

Tidewater August 22, 2008 at 1:34 pm

“Yes Carter had nothing to do with the Mets success…” please show me where I said this.

I agree with you that anyone can be booed in this town, but please show me where I said Carter had nothing to do with the Mets’ success.

Tidewater August 22, 2008 at 1:35 pm

“Yes Carter had nothing to do with the Mets success..”

Please show me where I said this.

Tidewater August 22, 2008 at 11:47 am

Who won the 1986 World Series MVP (yes, I know the answer). Is he forever a Mets Hero?

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:55 am

Even more was he even with the Mets the following season. LOL.

Tidewater August 22, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Exactly!!!

ridethesnake August 22, 2008 at 2:01 pm

That actually goes against your point of paying him whatever he wants the next season.

Tidewater August 22, 2008 at 2:07 pm

I never made that point. The only point I was making was countering the argument that being a World Series MVP makes you a Met hero forever. It doesn’t.

I believe the Mets should pick up his option because with the 4 mil they have to pay him anyway, they’re not likely to get anywhere near his production for less than the 12 they’ll spend on 1st base.

Nowhere did I say pay him what he wants. Nor would I do that.

SoDakMets August 22, 2008 at 11:50 am

If Delgado makes the incentives kick in, they wil be able to pay his salary with the sales of WS Champion t-shirt.

BaysideBillyD August 22, 2008 at 11:55 am

I can’t believe that I was calling for this dude’s head 2 months ago. At $12M, you have to sign him. Teixeira is going to cost a whole lot more that $12M and ties up that money long term.
Pick up the option for 1 year and let’s hope that Carp develops or that Evans adapts to first base.
The fact that Delgado has produced to the point that we are having this discussion blows me away. It is a tribute to his professionalism that he made the adjustments he did in order to make himself a threat once again.
Kudos, Carlos.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 11:58 am

Exactly. Think about this if you buyout Delgado and sign Tex you may have close to 30 million tied up in 1B next season. That’s a bit much.

janss36 August 22, 2008 at 11:58 am

If Delgado could win the NLCS or WS MVP we all will be VERY HAPPY Mets fans…

Ceetar August 22, 2008 at 12:24 pm

Yeah, if he does that, I don’t think we’ll care how much he makes next year. It should give him a reprieve from boos until at least ..May?

kistics August 22, 2008 at 12:07 pm

….

kistics August 22, 2008 at 12:08 pm

Why is it that sometimes my posts don’t get posted?

nagel100 August 22, 2008 at 12:19 pm

Carlos will be back next year. after that I’m hoping Murphy becomes our first baseman.

all our money need to go into pitching. we need one starter and several guys in the pen including a closer.

Ceetar August 22, 2008 at 12:24 pm

2 Starters.

Hubie August 22, 2008 at 12:25 pm

So after 3 weeks in the majors, you have Murphy penciled in as our starting 1st baseman in 2009 or 2010. Quite ambitious.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:31 pm

I don’t have that but chances are that between Evans, Murphy and Carp one of them will turn out to be a decent option for 1B. Same for LF. What we don’t have is pitching depth. After Niese we don’t really have any other starters.

BigWillie August 22, 2008 at 1:16 pm

All should be moved for SP if possible

kistics August 22, 2008 at 12:37 pm

How does this reply relate to my post???

Chan Ho Parking Lot August 22, 2008 at 1:06 pm

You used a keyword that is banned, and it blocked the post.

guierllNO MOta August 22, 2008 at 12:18 pm

Castillo for Silva just seems so logical….trade salary dumps…and the mets always want more pitching, and the M’s always want someone to get on base….Id rather be stuck with Silva and his $$ than Castillo since Silva can get moved to the pen when it inevitably blows up in 2009-12

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:22 pm

Its risky though. Spending 36 million for a guy who is overrated instead of 18 million for Castillo.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Now what if we could some how spin him, prospects and cash to the O’s for a salary dump and Roberts?

kistics August 22, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Salary dump could work for O’s since they seem to be clearing room for Tex signing, but they might want a big time prospect back for Roberts.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:55 pm

That’s fine send them Fmart. A chance to lock up 2B and with Murphy, Evans etc for LF next season we can always find a new LF in 2010.

kistics August 22, 2008 at 2:17 pm

I wouldn’t mind that deal at all, if the Mets can get Roberts. But isn’t Roberts a free agent after ‘09 season?

mrmustseetv August 22, 2008 at 12:25 pm

MARK TEXIERA! :)

Delgado’s having a nice rebound season, but I always fear he’s three games away from looking like he did for most of 2007 and half of 2008.

Gina August 22, 2008 at 12:28 pm

Going after Tex and paying Delgado’s buyout would make it very hard to upgrade the pitching staff. Not to mention with Tex you’re going to be tying up a lot of money for a pretty long time.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Beat me to it Gina.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:29 pm

= no money for pitching for years to come. We would have almost 30 million tied up in 1B alone next season if you do that. Not to mention Tex for 8 years 160-200 million?

kistics August 22, 2008 at 12:36 pm

I agree, the Mets’ first priority is to get pitching. Both RP and SP. I also think that they should add some more power to the line up to compete with the Phillies, but that depends on Church situation, and how Murphy/Evans/FMart develops.

mrmustseetv August 22, 2008 at 1:12 pm

Since when are the Mets the Royals?

This team is getting about $8M in added revenue from the new stadium ticket sales.

You add the $20M A YEAR for the naming right to the stadium.

Plus the over $30M that comes off the books.

Now, where do they not have the money?

Starting pitching? You resign Ollie and you don’t need starting pitching. Johan, Maine, Ollie, Pelfrey and Niese and you’re done.

Relief pitching? You don’t spend money and year on middle relief. I don’t see the Mets signing K-Rod unless Wagner is out due to TJ surgery.

BigWillie August 22, 2008 at 1:21 pm

Can’t wait to actually see Burgos pitch. He is 24 and can become the next closer if works on control

kistics August 22, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Just because you’re in NY, you don’t go out there and buy all the players you can. Look what the Yanks have done. Tex and Ollie are represented by Boras and you know that it means they are going to go with the highest bidder. They are not going to come at cheap prices. I doubt that Omar will go for both of them.

And you don’t spend money and year on middle relief? Look what that’s got the Mets into right now. Their RP has been terrible this year. Instead of signing Tex for 500 Mill for 20 years, I’d rather see them spend that money wisely and get a solid bullpen help.

Metfan4life August 22, 2008 at 12:30 pm

I would sign Delgado again

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Don’t even have to sign him. It’s just say yes to his option.

kistics August 22, 2008 at 12:41 pm

I think one thing that we have to realize is that Delgado is not going to hit 30HRs and drive in 100 RBIs next year. I expect him to struggle at times and hit 20-25 HRs with 80-90 RBIs next year. But that’s still better than most of the available 1B free agents out there.

beltran the warrior August 22, 2008 at 1:15 pm

just like we said for this year. how about we wait until 2009 before we certify anyone’s production.

Knuckles99 August 22, 2008 at 12:53 pm

Tonight’s series vs. Houston and the Phils vs. LAD is huge. With a good showing vs. Houston, we can have a 4.5 game lead come the end of the weekend, as I expect that the Dodgers will take 3 of the 4 this weekend, and Mets to do the same.

lewchr August 22, 2008 at 12:58 pm

Jon Heyman of SI.com says today that Ollie is looking at 5 years and 60 million this off season? I think he gets that, if not more. Not sure how I feel about giving him 5 years.

therealsince86 August 22, 2008 at 1:01 pm

I will give him 5 years 60. I just would not go over the 60 million part either way. It was mentioned that he wanted 4/60 so 5/60 would be a discount.

Lightweis August 22, 2008 at 2:41 pm

I really think Omar would do it if Ollie would accept an option on the 5th year.

methead August 22, 2008 at 12:58 pm

there is no such thing as a “viable backup” in this scenrio. He is a huge part of this offense. If we sign him next year and hits.162 there is no one who is going to come off the bench to produce his numbers. SO, you either take a chance with him or sign (overpay) for another first baseman.

Tatis is not a viable alternative, we dont really know if he is a fluke. Murphy is not a viable alternative…we dont know if he can truly put numbers anywhere near delgado. Easily…wont even bother.

Bibby11 August 22, 2008 at 2:53 pm

Signing Tex and buying out Delgado would cost us about the same next year as keeping delgado and signing ben sheets. I’d rather have sheets and delgado.

kickingmule August 22, 2008 at 3:22 pm

Stats so far this season. Texeria of course is gold glove at 1B and is younger, but how big of an impact does he make ?? Did not help the Braves at all, and the Rangers were better after he left. Can you expect Delgado to do this again next year ???

25 HR /95 RBI/.290 avg Texeria

26/84/.262 Delgado

I’d rather spend the money on resigning Ollie, maybe a pitcher to replace Pedro, and of bullpen help.

p_m August 22, 2008 at 5:02 pm

I also would prefer to keep Delgado another year and then let play Ike Davis at 1B. I wonder that he isn’t mentioned here in the talks about the Mets future firstbaseman. He has the potential to hit 30 homers although he struugles in the Minors yet and he can be ready for 2010. He is a better long time solution than Evans.

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