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Carlos Delgado has a $12 million option in his contract for 2009, or the team can buy him out for $4 million making him a free agent.
The Mets have until five days after the World Series to make an official decision on Delgado’s future.
Delgado explained that he does not have an option on his contact, adding, ‘They have the option, and they have to make the decision whether to bring me back or not.’
Delgado, on his future, while speaking to reporters yesterday from Shea Stadium:
“I don’t know (if I’ll be back), I don’t know, I’ll guess we’ll find out whenever they make the decision…I’d like to be back. I like this group of guys. I think we have a great team, so we’ll see what happens…At this stage of my career, you don’t want to be bouncing around any more than you have to, but the decision is in their hand. I had a good time here, it’s been a great experience and I’m looking forward to coming back if that’s the case…I want to come back, I feel like we have some unfinished business.”
Look, I understand the argument in favor of bringing Delgado back, especially since, technically, he will only cost the Mets an additional $8 million in salary, half of which – I think – can be deferred to future payrolls.
However, as I wrote yesterday, my gut is telling me the Mets need to change the dynamic of this team.
They need to shift from a team led by older, aging veterans, like Delgado, Pedro Martinez and Moises Alou, who are supported by players trying to find their way, like David Wright, Jose Reyes and Mike Pelfrey, and, instead, they must rebuild as team that is led by Wright, Reyes and Johan Santana, and supported by experienced, gritty role players, like Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter were in the mid-80s.
Also, let’s not lose perspective here. At the end of the day, he is still a soon-to-be 37–year-old, limited-range first baseman, who may or may not need hip surgery one day, who hit .204 in April, .258 in May, .229 in June and .248 in August.
This is not to downgrade his stellar September, which was impressive, but, there is a reason so many of us wanted him cut in May, including the team he works for, and we should not lose sight of that simply because he hit incredibly well during six of the season’s 24 weeks.
Like I said, I can probably be convinced he should stay, and I may even come around to that position when I look a bit more closely at the free-agent and trade market. However, since we are not building a fantasy team, for now, my hunch is that, despite his stellar July and September, next year’s team – as a whole – may be better with out him.
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Pick up the option, he will be energized with the new park and playing for 1 last pay day. Tex will cost too much and the other options aren’t better.
as I wrote months ago, pick up the option… Who else are you going to get for $8 mil that produced his numbers this year… Plus if you do decide to go after Texieria, then you can always flip Delgado after he’s signed… More likely, why not go after Burrelll or Dunn, play them in LF for a year and then play them at first in 2010 and beyond…
How about resign Delgado and package him with Heilman and Evans for Rowand from the Giants…play him in LF which would give us a stellar defensive outfield and a gritty player in the mold we’ve been speaking of. It would free the Giants from his huge contract, give then more offensive punch with Delgado…thoughts?
that’s giving up a lot of talent for a 3rd-4th OF’r. Yes he had one great year in Phillie, but he is not worth Delgado’s guaranteed 25-90; Nick’s potential and Aaron’s return to a productive reliever.
You have to respect the huge comeback this year, especially after the horrible start. The most important issue is long term team success. I doubt we can expect similar production from CD beyond next year. His value is likely at its peak right now. If we can move him to the AL where the DH option exists, CD may have even more value than in the NL where he is a poor fielding 1b. Detroit supposedly wanted to move Miguel Cabrera ealier this year. I would package CD, the teenage Moises, & Scott maybe even Luis with cash if necessary. If not Detroit, maybe to Toronto or Boston / LAA for prospects. In the event we do get just prospects, sign an offensive LF (Manny or Ibanez) to offset CD’s departure.
Hernandez and Carter were effective in 86, but they faded very quickly. I’d rather not get their likes on the team if it means trading youth.
But if Neil Allen, Herm, Hubie, and Floyd can bring in similar players. You gotta do it.
well…if they gave us a W.S…i’d be cool with it.
a lot depends on what the alternatives are. Nick Evans and Mike Carp? No thanks.
I think the option of keeping him and trying to get Tex could be the best move. If we get him, we can deal Delgado. If we don’t get him, Delgado is our 8 million dollar insurance policy.
I agree — this was not an option in the vote so I did not vote this time. I want to keep him, but then trade him.
After all, who would have thought we would get anything out of him in 2009 other than a negative $4mil to get him out of here — that he exploded in the second half did us no good in 2008, so let’s make it pay off for us in 2009 by getting equal value back for him in a live young arm, and then sign Tex.
Here’s a question: When do we have to decide on the option? Either way, it may not be the best move, as we would have to sell low on Delgado if we have to get Tex first. And the price on Tex goes up if we trade Delgado first.
If we have time to pursue Tex before deciding on the option, we can pull that off.
we have to decide five days after the end of the world series.
What the team really needs is a new powerful right handed hitting leftfielder and an entire new bullpen plus at least one starting pitcher like a Burnett or Garland type.
Resigning Delgado is no brainer. Expect him to be a 25hr 90rbi guy for $12M. Reasonable numbers
Also expect him to be the #6 hitter
In a perfect world for me…..
The Mets move Murphy to 2b and find a taker for Castillo
The Mets keep Delgado at 1b, Reyes at SS and Wright at 3b with Beltran in CF
The Mets move Church and a few pieces to Colorado (possibly Heilman and Fmart in that deal) for Holliday and one of their better 2 way relievers.
Then we have a hole in RF but we have the following guys everyday
Reyes
Murphy
Beltran
Holiday
Wright
Delgado
???? Right Field
Schneider
Pitcher
We must get a little less lefthanded and Church plus more for Holiday is my answer there.
Good post Omar. You ignored the bullpen.
the POLL question is should he return in 2009?
exercise the option and trade him is a NO
re-read the poll question
Given the other holes they need to fill, I’d just as soon they pick up the option on Delgado. They should however find a Shawn Green/Xavier Nady type of OFer who can also place 1B so they can rest Delgado once in awhile.
Bullpen bullpen bullpen
He’s called Nick Evans
Why is everyone so enamored by Nick Evans? Yes, he hit lefties well but at the end of the day he hit .257/.303/.404
Nick Evans needs at least a few months in AAA before being considered an option. He performed well under the circumstances but he needs some more seasoning before being MLB ready on a long-term basis.
i agree, the are other holes that are of much more concern for the mets. keep him and focus on hudson, holiday, and bullpen help
Matt there’s something not quite clear about your reasoning. The Mets need to get rid of “older, aging veterans” and replace them with “experienced, gritty role players”? It seems like the difference between these categories is just in the eye of the beholder. At this stage in his career I don’t how Delgado doesn’t fit into the latter.
You are right, he is a clubhouse veteran, except he is the leader of a team that hadl three season-ending upsets at Shea. Only one was a collapse but three straight years of needing to win your final game and coming up short is crazy. The Twins won Sunday, the Brewers won, the White Sox won Sunday AND Monday. Five games all won by the team who needed it on the last day and we lose two straight, and a third in Game 7 the year before.
Delgado, like Lo Duca before him, has to go, despite his solid year.
If the Mets want to make a change, a real change, signing Delgado makes no sense. He is the easiest guy not to bring back since he is not under contract. If the Mets have learned anything over the years depending on aging Vets is not a good business model. Time to get young and stay young, these will be the types of teams that win in baseball. The steroid era is over, 35 is now ancient.
If they can also manage to get rid of Castillo, fix the bullpen, resign Ollie, let Pedro walk, go after another starter we will be on the right track – but who am i kidding – wishful thinking.
This will be Omar’s most challenging offseason. He really has run out of wiggle room and sooner or later the fingers will be pointing at him. A 2009 failure proably means his job.
I would let OP and Pedro both walk
I would put more stock in getting Garland at a price less than OP (with more consistent and reliable results including more innings) and Pedro appears to me to be close to being done. Resignig Pedro would be a mistake of epic proportions even if it is a 1 or 2 year deal. HAve to move toward pitchers that can really help this squad
The article I read in the post hoping to convince the METS to snare CC….the big fish, made some sense.
If the METS had CC, Santana, Pelfrey and Maine, they could afford to go with Niese in the rotation finding his way and still survive. The problem is we really do not know what Maine will be. A bonespur and surgery in the offseason seems like a major deal to me and could affect next year for Maine
I think we’re overvaluing the “gritty role” player type. After each at-bat on Sunday, you could see how pissed he was that he didn’t knock it out of the park. That’s gritty enough for me. Plus we lose him, we lose 100+ rbi’s and 30+ home runs. Of course that might not happen again but for what will be essentially $8 million for next season, it’s a bargain worth taking the risk for.
Agreed, good points.
Also, just because the team wants to get younger doesn’t mean they have to get rid of EVERY older veteran player on the team.
if they dont get him then they just have that much more work to do this offseason and they have to sign someone else….they need to focus on at least 1 starter, big bat left fielder, and bullpen….thats all….that could be
-sign lowe, burnett ect..
-trade for holliday
-sign krod/fuentes
but not bringing back delgado would take a big bat out of the order and would mean we would have to go to a trade of a free agent…and the way delgado played this year i wouldnt want anyone else at first base…….
btw, murphy will be the second baseman next year
The Mets have quite a few needs for next year. Sure, in an ideal world we’d find (in order) a new Closer, Set up guy, 2B, LF, resign Ollie add another average pitcher for depth, and rebuild our bench.
Can this really happen? Not likely.
Keep Delgado. He’s the least of the Met’s problems. The real problem is relying entirely on 4 guys for your entire offense.
Focus on the BP, 2b, and the bench, in my opinion.
i think this team needs a more drastic change in culture than replacing the BP, 2B and tinkering with the bench.
Delgado will be 37 next year and 35+ year olds are not reliable to perform at the same level
If they get rid of Delgado, then it’s just creating another hole. There’s enough holes to worry about this offseason, most notably second base and the entire bullpen.
If it weren’t for the collapses, I’d really think about bringing Delgado back. But I agree with Matt that the dynamic of the Mets has to be changed, and I think Delgado has to be one of those who doesn’t return.
pick up the option and deal him.
Trade CD for BP arms.
Fill 1B with a rook or some gritty defensive specialist via trade.
Then how do we go about filling the big power holes in our line-up?
we’ll get some better numbers from LF and Church will be around a full year. Dumping CD will give us more budget for LF
Delado will not give us 30 HRs next year. No way no how. If we can get 20+ HR and above average defense from a replacement we’ll be much better off
Do you remember the last “gritty defensive specialist” we had at first?
The .240/.302/.407 line of …
Mr. Doug Mient-not gonna work here any more.
1B is an offensive position. You cannot win these days with a defense-first starter there. Late inning replacement – sure. But starting, no.
Id say we should pick up the option. If not, any chance we can do what the Yanks did with Sheffield and pick up the option, then deal him for a power arm or 2 for the BP?
YES!!!
There is a certain team in the Bronx that has a need for a 1B.
can we pick up the option and trade him? i’m not sold on keeping him for 2009 but his contract is a real value in this market.
Honestly, if you think he played well for only 6 weeks in the season and was still able to put up the numbers he put up, why not keep him. Those numbers for anyone let alone a 36 year old are stellar. At the beginning of the year people were talking about him hitting 24 hrs and 80 something rbis, and im pretty sure he eclipsed that hope. Besides, these gritty gary carter, keith hernandez pete rose types, are all taken, do you not realize the people you are mentioning in the previous statement are probably the most sought after players in the league. First of all Keith Hernandez won 11 gold gloves and hit over 300 multiple times, pete rose holds the record for most hits ever, gary carter is in the hall of fame…people you want, are not available!!! I think you’re just so wound up about how the Mets lost that you forget to realize how they were even in position to get there (for most of that resurgence in your postgames it was “thank you Carlos Delgado”…) Yes we should get rid of players like alou, and pedro, but that was coming already. That money will go to where we hurt the most (the bullpen), and if need be we’ll get another corner outfielder. I dont think you realize how much of this season was changed just by Carlos Delgado (and hes coming at a cheap investment of 8mil…just cuz its deferred over time if Wilpon buys out does not mean its a wise investment, Wilpon still has to pay him, and who are you guna get to replace him with that same money Wilpon was guna pay him). You need to get over this season get a level head and think rationally instead of thinking like a sour Mets fan whos always depressed jeez.
Picking up Delgado’s option should be a NO-BRAINER!!!!!
Why is this even a question?
38 HR 115 RBI 96R
Mets WILL grab the option and trade him. So many teams would take that. Heck, at his age he could easily go to the AL as a DH.
Unless Hank Blalock is let loose by the Rangers, I think we’re stuck with Delgado. I suggest Blalock over Teixeira simply because he’s the most affordable option at 1B that *may* be available. I can’t imagine the Rangers won’t at least pick up his option, but he’d certainly be attractive from a youth movement perspective. I’d only want Delgado back if we had no other choice. It seems we’re stuck with him, because Carp and Evans aren’t going to be ready and may not be the answer as their defense isn’t any better than Delgado either.
Btw, I’d like the idea that Davidoff suggested in that Minaya pursues signing Juan Rivera for LF in 2009. A makeover of Rivera & Blalock in place of Delgado and a cast of LF characters looks mighty appealing to me.
I like Blalock a lot, but he is always, always hurt. I don’t think he can play 3B anymore with his shoulder woes. An interesting idea, but I lean towards no. I can’t take anymore Moises Alou types who are always hurt.
I really don’t see what other choice we have if we want to compete next year. Unless the market for Tex isn’t as good as he was hoping and his asking price drops like a rock.
Exactly. Who would we be able to grab other than Tex that could give us something close to Delgado’s production? I can see wanting to get younger, but the team is already going to be much younger next season anyways. Just keep him, it is the best most affordable option and leaves money to be spent on more glaring needs.
Before you make this decision, go back and revisit all of your posts about how clutch Delgado was this year. How many of those HR’s seemed to come in close games and late innings when the Mets needed it most? He put this team on his back for 3 months and he was the only player that could be a leader via his performance. Go look at all the complaints about Wright and Reyes at crunch time, including many of your own posts. I love these guys and we need them every day. But, if you can Delgado, exactly who are all the young players going to look up to when they need the big hit?
As a secondary consideration, think of the cost of replacement. Texeira’s going to cost twice as much in ‘09 and will need another 5-6 years on top of that. Who is the next best 1B after that?
odds of a repeat in 2009 are slim..
What about Mike Jacobs? The Marlins were looking to deal him at the deadline b/c he is arb eligible.
I would pick up his option, if for no other reason than it’s one less thing to worry about. The Mets will have enough trouble shoring up the bullpen, finding starters 4 and 5, and resolving the LF issue without also hunting for a first baseman.
Matt….I don’t disagree regarding Delgado. But Hernandez and Carter were “gritty role players”? I’m pretty sure they were the leaders of that team. They were even co-captains in 1988 or 1989.
yeah, no idea what he’s saying there. hernandez was a .300 avg, around .400 OBP guy. definitely not a role player.
carter’s production fell off when he came to the mets but he still posted OPS+ over 100 in the first two years, which includes 1986. after that…well, that’s what happens to catchers in their 30’s. he was still more than a role player on the 1986 team, though.
Matt:
What a crock of bs you just posted? To say Delgado only hit for 6 weeks is so misleading and just a blatant lie. Was this just an effort to support your position or just laziness on your part.
Delgao hit the entire 2nd half of the season. He was as consistent as you can be. While he only hit .248 in August, he still hit 7 HR and drove in 24 runs, similar production to July and September.
Don’t throw out a bunch of crap like that. Its insulting to Met fans. If you don’t want delgado back fine, I can see your point of turning the corner here, but don’t be misleading.
Agreed. It’s a knee jerk reaction just like the ones busting up the core. How about fixing what is actually wrong with the team in LF, 2B, starters than can go 6+ innings and a bullpen that scares only our own hitters?
good god no..fix whats really wrong with this team…whats wrong with this guy..obviously ..WE MUST TRADE WRIGHT AND REYES AND BELTRAN!!!
LOL Dirty sometimes I wonder why I put myself through this everyday. I promised myself I would take a break but I just can’t.
same here…i guess it helps me get thru the day at work…..
look at his monthly splits
April
Month BA
April 198
May 258
Jun 229
Jul 357
Aug 248
Sep 340
What’s your point?
Should we use BA to judge Howard? How about looking at his OPS during those months. August was not bad at all.
Exactly.
the Fils were considering putting Howard on the market when he was lined up for 250 strike outs and hitting 220 in mid August./
This is the easy one to me. Changing the dynamic of the team, LOL. How about not having to have Ramon Martinez batting 6th. We can not replace Delgado’s production even if he takes a step back by anyone on the market besides Dunn and Tex. We aren’t getting Tex and Dunn will cost a lot more than Delgado. We have a lot of guys that in 2010 could potentially take his spot. We need to spend any and all extra money on pitching.
Sign Manny Ramirez for LF. That replaces Delgado’s production. Nick Evans can play first base.
What is Delgado going to do that Manny can’t?
That is how you change the dynamic of the team. Pick up Delgado’s option and TRADE HIM for pieces we need.
If Omar lets Delgado go, the only player who could make up for his offense (and then some) would be Manny Ramirez. We need a left fielder anyway right? :)
True, however you still then have a hole at 1B and cost yourself another 10 million in the process.
It really wouldn’t be too much of a hole at first base if you have Manny in left because he would provide enough offense to make it moot. And yes, it would cost 10 million more, but it would change the dynamic, and Manny is a right handed power bat. That is something this team sorely needs.
the problem is chan who are you going to replace him with…evans..carp…palcussi…none of who has played a full ML season and can expect to put up the same production or similar to delgado. Not to mention Delgado is our power L in the lineup. I know you say manny will offset the production but why spend 10 mill more than we have to when we can address other areas of more importance….
Because it would change the dynamic of the team and shake up the entire lineup. 10 million would be worth it for that alone. And let’s face it, Manny Ramirez is a better offensive player than Carlos Delgado. They would likely hit for the same power, but Manny hits well over .300. Delgado doesn’t. 10 million for an upgrade on offense and a big change in dynamics. That’s how I look at it.
and a HUGE drop at defense..delgado is bad defensivly at 1b…manny i dont even want to look at the numbers. I just dont think manny would change the dynamic of the team as much as you think. Remember this is manny ramirez..manny being manny…..thats a huge circus coming into a new ballpark. I disagree bringing manny here and i stand by taking up delgados option..lol guess this will be one of the rare times we disagree on somthing chan.
I’d be all for Manny if you could get him for 2 years, but that is not happening. I’m somewhat torn on this though. On one hand I see Manny as one of those extremely rare players that could stay very productive until 40. On the other hand it is an aging player coming to the Mets which means he is going to stop producing completely.
I see the point. It would be risky. But there is just something about Manny where he’s just different. Nothing seems to faze him. He just hits, period. One of the best pure hitters I have ever seen. He dealt with all that media in Boston and still hit the cover off the ball. I can see him coming here and just tearing it up. Oh, and by the way, the man is clutch.
Texeira is overrated and not worth what he’s going to be getting. Stick with Delgado. It makes sense financially and numbers-wise. Yes, he’s older, but what better options do you have. Luckily we’re in the position to consider Delgado as option, which it’s a great option to have. You won’t find that kind of production anywhere else in the F.A. market. Other holes need to be filled. Picking up Delgado’s option is an easy decision and will be done ASAP. You guys have to think rationally here.
tex isn’t overrated, but he’s going to be way too old toward the end of this contract to merit what he’s gonna be getting. i’d love to have him (gold glove defense, .950 OPS with 35 or so HR), but not for 10 years.
Did no one else notice Matt misspelled “Quote”? I say keep Delgado, and sign Manny….You have them bat back/back and you have a Papi/Manny situation in the NL.
Pick up the option and trade him to the AL for someone of value. (LF? bullpen? etc) and use Nick Evans at 1B.
If we really want to shake up the dynamic of the team, thats a perfect way to do it.
1B – Evans
2B – Murph or FA
SS – Reyes
3B – Wright (Trading him is THE dumbest thing ive ever heard btw)
C – Schnied/Castro
CF – Beltran
RF – Church/Tatis
LF – Murphy or FA
this changes the dynamic and feel of the team. we get younger and and more athletic.
thoughts?
So you really think that Evans can make up any of Delgado’s production? You want him there then make it 2010.
Do I think he will hit 38hrs and drive in 110+ RBI? No. I think in a full season as an everyday player 20hrs and 90 RBIs is feasible though. Plus he is only 22 and if he continues to stay healthy can put up those numbers.
I just merely suggested it as a way to change the dynamic and feel of the team. Plus if Delgado can net us someone of significance from the AL (LF, 2B, bullpen arm, #5 starter) would it really be that big of a loss?
“20hrs and 90 RBIs is feasible though”
-based on what half a season…….
guys look the point of “changing the dynamics” of a team is to make the team better…how do you figure putting a kid that has never played a whole ML season going to help us move foward. Giving the job to evans or carp at this time will only impair us further. No other replacement can put up the numbers that delgado puts up and not to mention thanks to his 2nd half he has restored his image as a feared hitter which would provide good protection to hitters around him. Do you think pitchers would share the same with evans…carp…i dont think so. Take delgados option for this year and have evans or carp start in 2010. We cannot afford to get into a bidding war with tex.
if he’s only going to hit 20 HR as a first baseman he better be playing keith hernandez-like defense to make up for it. evans hasn’t shown anything, anyway. crappy plate discipline, only 2 HR in 100 AB.
You can’t even project those type of numbers for Evans based on his platoon numbers this year against lefties, which he’s supposed to “mash.” To guess (or better put hope) he can do that over a full season is fool-hardy. Ditto for Carp who we know nothing about and shouldn’t thrust into a key situation to start the year without a safety net.
I understand the need to get younger but we shouldn’t promote youth for the sake of promoting youth. Dumping Delgado is something you talk about when the wholes on your team are small and less obvious. When there are so many major, glaring holes to fill this year (2 SPs, an entire bullpen, 2B, LF, possibly C), why dump the guy who even if he reverts back to his 2007 self, is still a relative bargain and will give us more offensive production than any internal option?
If you want to get younger, stop signing 40+ year-olds who have spent the majority of their career on the DL and expect them to play pivotal every day starting roles on your team.
“I understand the need to get younger but we shouldn’t promote youth for the sake of promoting youth”
-THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i approve this message
great job cons
I completely agree as I am in favor of bringing Delgado back. It is completely foolhardy not to, for all the reasons that everyone has already mentioned.
Again, I agree not signing aging veterans either as well as not being able to forcast Evan’s production. But its a tough call on this, yes there are very glaring holes that need to be fixed, but very quickly we forget the patience needed with Pelfrey or how most wanted Delgado drawn and quartered at the start of this year.
Im merely advocating a different thought perspective as I work in the group insurance industry and am not a “baseball mind.”
However, in the same respect you cant take Evans, a platooning left fielder, and throw him into the everyday role in 2010 and expect him to put up big numbers (just as i wouldnt expect him to put up big numbers this year). What I would like to see (and should have stated in my first post) is that, yes pick up delgado’s option, but i want to see Evans/Carp in at 1B as a platoon or backup should Delgado faulter.
What is up with you guys and Evans. Evans hasn’t done anything and you want him to replace a 30hr/100rbi guy. You’re sick. Evans will at best be a bench player or maybe a platoon guy. Get a grip, be realistic!
Easy guy, we’re on a blog and we’re all fantasy GM’s here. None of my, or anyone elses suggestions are based on anything outside of paper statistics and watching them play.
I merely suggested it as a way to change the face of the team as Matt’s post and many people here have alluded to. Nothing more.
Thing is, however, that even using paper stats Evans does not project to be anything more than a backup at best.
My thoughts are that that looks like a fairly weak lineup unless the FA spots go to Orlando Hudson and Manny Ramirez
I would not say we have to sign those guys but that lineup is terrible and you would not have to worry about a September collapse for sure.
Hence the need for at least one FA to be signed in that lineup, either in LF or at 2B.
Matt…I just can’t agree with you here. I do understand the need to “turn the page” on some players, but Delgado isn’t one of them. He’s proven to be able to produce in NY and that can’t be discounted. I don’t expect him to produce at the level he did this year, however, given the limited options at 1B, we just can’t afford to create any more holes than we need.
Exactly, turn the page on the bullpen, LF, 2B, starters that go 5 innings…..
Matt, you need to get a clue regarding Delgado before you really start losing credibility. Get it together man! Use your head, not those bitter feelings you have right now. If you’re looking for change, change what needs change. Don’t suggest changes for the sake of making a change. Your suggestion would create another hole and problem for the Mets.
Pick up the option, you have replacements in house if he does not work out.
Yes pick up the option … and then trade him. His value to an AL team is sky high.
Ok If I thought I could net a quality 1B and other pieces while I was doing it, sure. For instance maybe a big deal with Toronto. They send us Overbay, Wells and Downs for Delgado, Fmart, and Heilman? Just a suggestion.
Hey, I’ve got a great idea.
Let’s bring back all of the same players responsible for the last three years of futility and expect a different outcome.
They’ve got to get it right sooner or later, don’t they?
The mets problem is we dont have anybody that we can realistically expect to put up the production delgado puts up every year including an off year in 07. Yes we have heard the same rhetoric..hes too old…limited defense…but look at his numbers on the mets..they dont lie. The option on delgado is a no brainer. You pick it up, its cheap and even half of delgados numbers this year would be more than we would get from any other person that the mets would think to replace him with.
ditto
its not rhetoric. He IS OLD and he is limited on defense.
Finding 24 HR and 90 rbi at First base shouldnt be a problem.. Its league average. These are the numbers Delgado will put up next year NOT 37/115
THe culture and leadership on this team needs to change after three failed years.
The bullpen and lack of starters that can consistantly go 6 innings needs to change.
Keep Delgado
Delgado had 40 Hrs last year. Teixera is the only player that can give that kind of production but if you sign Teixera you cant sign Manny or K-Rod.
Who would u rather have, Teixera at 1st, Murphy/Evans in left and castillo at 2b or Delgado at 1st Manny in Left and murphy at 2b?
Here is what we need:
A new bullpen, save Joe Smith
A new second baseman, be it O-Dog or Murphy
At least one new corner OF
One more SP (two if Perez isn’t re-signed)
Delgado is the least of the Mets’ problems. He needs to be retained. I don’t want to hear about this garbage that “he was part of the collapse so maybe he should go.” No. He wasn’t part of the problem as the season wound down. He constantly didn’t blow various leads.
As far as I know, Richie Sexson and Kevin Millar are the only two free agent first basemen besides Teixeira.
As I am writing this post, I am as infuriated as ever that Teflor Omar actually got an extension. I can see not firing him. But EXTENDING him? You fail, Wilpons. You fail.
Well, if he only hit well for 6 of the 26 weeks, and had 38 HR and 110+ RBI, think what he could do if he hit well for 10 weeks.
It really makes no sense to not pick up the option, you need veteran players, every championship team has some sort of veteran leadership and when delgado is going good that’s exactly what he provides.
And why get rid of one of the few guys that actually had a good September?
In filling the necessary holes at 2B, LF, and bullpen as we have been stating a ‘different’ personality is necessary.
What type of personality?
We all would like a Kieth Hernandez, but is one available?
We don’t want to sacrfifice talent to bring in a determined go getter.
What do you guys feel about adding a bit of a crazy, yet with solid talent.
MILTON BRADLEY – This guy hit well over 300 from both sides of the plate. Is an above avergage defender, Has some injuries in his past as well as some significant issues.
But, some of these NUtty players are competitive to a fault.
I think we need that, a guy that flips out a little bit. We seem like we can coast too easily. We need aggression.
He had a fantastic season, but he played DH all year and because of his aforementioned injury risk it would be a gamble.
Do you have any idea what this team looks like without his numbers?
Changing the ‘dynamic’ is cute and all. but in the grand scheme of things, it makes ZERO sense to not pick up his option, he’s a bargain at that cost.
even if he comes back to earth and hits 27HR and drives in 90, for 8MM, he is a steal.
easily one of the stupidest blogs ever written on this site and thats saying something.
except he doesnt cost 8 million a year.
His net cost to us is 8 million.
according to Cots BB Contacts site the Marlins arent picking up anything in 09
mlbcontracts.blogspot.com
acquired 11/05 in trade from Florida (as part of deal, Marlins paid Mets $7M – $1M in 2006, $2M in 2007, $4M in 2008)
The full 12 Mil salary for 2009 is on us.
Biggie – to get rid of him would cost $4mil, hence the NET $8mil cost.
to trade him cost 4 million? i dont think so.
NET Cost Implies we are not paying the full 12 million which is not the case.
If we let him walk away and go elsewhere we pay 4 mil but we can exercise the option and trade him which takes the 12 mil off the payroll.
To say Delgado only costs us 8 million this year is incorrect
It’s only one year, and this is not a mo vaughn situation. How about training F-martinez to become a first baseman? You are less injured if you play first base, and he could grow to be a 30 hr slugger?
This is just ridiculous. After Manuel gets his contract, Delgado’s option being picked up will be the next announcement. It’s the best choise given his contract, production in the 2nd half, and lack of quality replacements at his position.
Matt, I’m not sure what you know about leadership, but it is not something you just give to someone. You can’t just give it to David and Jose and think there problems will be solved. Leadership is something that is developed. Just because they are younger than the other players doesn’t mean they can’t become the leaders of the team.
Delgado is not the problem.
I have to agree this is poorly thought out by Matt. I am typically optimistic on most issues as Matt is, but this is just dumb.
Sign Milton Bradley – you want a change in attitude, you got it. I know Milton is crazy but he’s not Elijah Dukes crazy.
A lot of the craziness is form failure if he strikes out, you dont want be near him.
Please Omar get Milton.
The 86 team had so many guys with issues, we need ISSUES!
By the way I like Omar, I want this extension. He stole Johan Santana, John Maine and Oliver Perez. His down falll has been the bullpen, but we all know the bull pen is a crao shoot, very hard to determine who will produce outside of top notch closers and scot shields.
Keep Delgado. He is a soft spoken leader on the field despite his aging skills. Most recently, either Saturday or Sunday’s game, Reyes threw a ball in the ground that Delgado had to pick out, first thing Del did was scold Reyes.
Delgado may not be the leader that Keith was or we need right now but he isn’t a hinderance either. Pick up the option and worry about the bigger issues like LF, BP, 2B and SP. That’s enough to worry about right there.
seriously, pick it up right now. why wait.
i am in the keep Delgado camp. That being said I also understand that matching this years numbers will be a very tall order so I won’t get on him next year is he doesn’t.
I voted to re-sign Delgado not because I like his personality (which I do) but because he’s, you know, really, really good at playing baseball.
By the way, the last time we went after “experienced, gritty role players,” we got 4 years of Luis Castillo.
i hear a lot of mentioning about Milton Bradley
this is the same player who has admitted to not playing hard b/c he didnt like his manager
this is the same guy who once barged into the radio booth full swinging b/c one of the announcers called milton out for being a disruption in the clubhouse
man and you guys think milledge was bad milton is 100 times worse
KEEP Delgado. We have bigger fish to fry in the BULLPEN and Second Base.
Plus, everyone is talking about findings leadership for this team, as others have already mentioned, Carlos is a quiet leader and a smart veteran, and I want to keep him on the Mets.
And finally, things are going to be different enough in 2009; what kind of message does that send to our players (and potential players on other teams) after the numbers Carlos worked so hard to put up? “Come play for the Mets, play hard, give it all you’ve got, and then we’ll trade you or release you anyway.”
I’m in favor of bringing him back, but only bring him back if your willing to cut ties with Pedo Martinez, El Duque, Alou, and Castillo which all should be no brainers.
We need the older veterans on this team to be the minority, not majority.
I haven’t heard anybody mention this but is he a Type A free Agent? Getting a couple 1st rounders might not be so bad either.
AZ wrote:
“I’m in favor of bringing Delgado back, but only bring him back if your willing to cut ties with Pedo Martinez, El Duque, Alou, and Castillo which all should be no brainers.”
Absolutely. The only one I feel slightly bad about is Pedro; but he already waved goodbye to the fans; he knew that his time with the Mets had ended.
El Duque (who’s that?)
Alou (isn’t it time for him to join AARP?)
Castillo (just say NO)
but KEEP DELGADO!
AZMF, technically Delgado isn’t a Free Agent. He can be under contract for another year (if the Mets choose to) or he will have no ties to the Mets (if the Mets choose not to exercise the option). I don’t believe they will get any compensation for him.
Maybe the problem wasn’t so much the veterans the team was relying on, but the fact that outside of the stars this was a very thin team? There were four players on the offense that rate as above-average, and you want to get rid of one to bring in a gritty role player? What for? Delgado won’t hit .300 anymore, but he can still hit .260+ and 30+ homeruns in the middle of the lineup. Replacing that with a player who hits .260 with 15 homeruns but is “gritty” makes this team worse.
You cannot expect to be a contender with below average production at 1st, 2nd, LF and average at C and RF.
Delgado was one of the top power hitters in baseball in the second half, and was easily the most feared Mets hitter down the stretch. With him gone, do you really think Beltran will get pitches to hit with Church behind him?
Delgado carried this team the second half. It would be foolish not to bring him back for $8 million. He’s obviously found his swing. We sat through a year and a half of him not having it, and now that he does we want to let him go? While that would be typical of Omar’s poor decision making, it’s obviously the wrong thing to do.
Delgado earns 12 mil in 2009
the Marlins arent picking up anything for his option year.
you cant subtract the 4 mil option when trading him is an option
reyes
beltran
manny
delgado
wright
church
murphy
schneider
the most dangerous lineup in the MLB can be had if the Mets sign Manny to a short term deal.
replace Perez with Lowe and fix the bullpen and you have a team that should easily win 95 games
Is 4 years short term? That’s what Manny will want. So you want to drop about 80-100 million for a short term solution in LF?
i dont think he’ll get that though. obviously his production speaks for himself, but his perceived attitude and age might hinder it.
although with that said, it wouldnt surprise me if some team did throw the money at him.
3 year deal with option for a 4th for a future hall of famer who has shown 0 signs of fading plus the mets like the yankees and red sox have no budget.
he batted 332 with 37 HRs and 121 RBI. imagine what those numbers could be with this lineup.
you want to complain about his defense Manny has made 3 errors this season, mets had 5 errors in LF this year.
lets not forget the fact that hes a winner with the Indians and Sox so much postseason experience, he has 2 rings in 3 appearences and a WS MVP plus he singlehandedly got the dodgers into the playoffs.
but hey if u think keeping Murphy platooning with Nick Evans and Fernando Tatis is better well thats ur call
It’s not just that. It’s the 22 million+ he will be seeking. That’s 14 million more than we spent there last year. We would not have the money to go get a decent closer or the 2 SP that we need.
and we’d lose our first rounder, TRS86.
I am not sure. I thought the Dodgers agreed not to offer arbitration but regardless no Manny.
Forgot to Sign CC and K-Rod. Also, instead of Manny, others have suggested Vlad could become available.
u can’t sign CC too expensive and too much of a risk. Vlad’s option should be picked up but he would be a great pick up as well and you move Church over to left.
i personally think manny is a perfect fit but you cant go wrong with vlad
Vlad’s option has a good chance of NOT being picked up. He will put pressure for a new contract and they have 106 OF’s. Also they need all kinds of money to sign Tex. Why would you move Church? He is great in RF.
b/c vlad has an even better arm than church and that is his position. you let vlad play where he wants
We have so many other holes to fill. Second base,starting pitching,relief pitching,big RH bat. pick up the relatively cheap option on Delgado and spend the money on the other holes. I agree that the makeup of the team needs to be changed but keeping one older player (and hopefully only one) won’t hurt.
Delgado’s second half numbers were too strong to be a fluke. He hit for average and power with walks up and K’s down plus he hit well against LH pitching.
If we have Tatis and or Evans sround next year we can rest him occasionally and keep him strong
Hey guys would the Jays want Delgado back? Would they dump Well’s contract to get him? Jays owe Overbay, Wells and Downs 150 million dollars. That would be a lot to take on but would it be worth it?
Reyes, Murphy, Wright, Beltran, Wells, Overbay, Church, Schnider/Castro.
There’s gotta be a lot more than Delgado going back to Toronto. Delgado, Heilman, THM… not even sure that’s enough for that package.
Plus I think Ricciardi is in a “win or else” mode.
Can’t agree with you on this one, Matt. I usually see your point on most you post but this just alludes me. I think maybe your perspective is still skewed by the loss. We’re all pissed but now is not the time to ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’.
Keep Delgado. We’ve got bigger problems than replacing 1st base.
FIRST BASEMAN FREE AGENTS
First basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Hank Blalock (28) – $6.2MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) – $12MM club option for ‘09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) – $22MM club option for ‘09 with a $5MM buyout
Wes Helms (33) – $3.75MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.75MM buyout
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)
Daryle Ward (34)
anyone still think we should let delgado go?
and for fun
LEFT FIELD FA
Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37) – $14MM club option for ‘09 with a $3MM buyout
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Carl Crawford (27) – $8.25MM club option for ‘09 with a $2.5MM buyout
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) – $2.75MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33) – $2.6MM club option for ‘09
Craig Monroe (32)
Greg Norton (36)
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27) – $5MM club option or $2MM player option for ‘09
Manny Ramirez (37)
Juan Rivera (30)
Fernando Tatis (34)
if we do let delgado go, we are going to have to hope that Tampa let Crawford walk, and we would have to pay more than the 8.5 he was going to get.
or we could just resign delgado, wait on crawford, and fall back on Juan Rivera or … Pat “the Met Killer”
O, and if you were thinking about wasting any money on a bullpen …
Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Luis Ayala (31)
Joe Beimel (32)
Joe Borowski (38)
Doug Brocail (42) – club option for ‘09
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (30)
Alan Embree (39) – $3MM club option for ‘09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Casey Fossum (31)
Keith Foulke (35)
Tom Gordon (41) – $4.5MM club option for ‘09 with a $1MM buyout
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Matt Herges (39) – club option for ‘09
Bob Howry (35)
Jon Lieber (39)
Jason Johnson (35)
Damaso Marte (34) – $6MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) – $2MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Chan Ho Park (36)
Horacio Ramirez (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Arthur Rhodes (39)
Juan Rincon (30)
Glendon Rusch (34)
Rudy Seanez (40)
Brian Shouse (40)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Timlin (43)
Ron Villone (39)
David Weathers (39)
Kip Wells (32)
Matt Wise (33)
Jamey Wright (34)
who cares, a BP is like a box of chocolates
or a closer
Closers
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Eddie Guardado (38)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Salomon Torres (37) – $3.75MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.3MM buyout
Kerry Wood (32)
theres no realistic option. Cubs wont let Kerry go. K-Rod is not great … hes way above average, but to pay him as a great closer would be counter productive. i think we all know that we need a “Met” to close. We havent had one since Johnny and i miss that feeling. i never boo’d Johnny because i knew a “met” lost the game instead of someone who wears a met jersey because it was the best contract. i would love to see Stokes or Kunz get the ball … i know there are a lot of people who think thats dumb, but im not one of them. if we had to get someone from outside, wood would probably be the only one i would stand by just because he has more than two pitches(Gagne doesnt count).
and for starters … uh …
Starting pitchers
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) – can opt out after ‘08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Shawn Estes (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) – $9MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Braden Looper (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (33) – club option for ‘09
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Sergio Mitre (28)
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) – $11MM club option for ‘09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) – $13MM club option for ‘09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) – $8.75MM club option for ‘09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
Glendon Rusch (34)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42)
Tim Wakefield (42) – perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32)
one ace (C.C or Sheets?) means we can hand the ball to neise. if not, we need two above average/ average starters: demster, burnett, penny, lowe, garland, garcia and for fun … pavano, but for even more fun … ollie.
What about Greg Maddux signed as a 4 or 5 starter? I understand it might be Braves,West coast or bust, but come on. He gives u a quility start almost every time, he doesn’t get hurt and does a club house justice with his vetern presence that we lost in Billy Wagner(two totally different leadship ideals, but still leadership). It’ll be costly, but im still convinced Ollie can really help our team and solidify our rotation and most of all for us fans…He’s fun to watch!! Brandon Lyon has good stuff so does anybody object to signing him to a set-up role? He’s extremly costly, but i love Krod. As for second base, i say let murphy play and share time with someone like David Eckstien at 2nd at sign somebody or trade for LF. Leave it up to Omar. He makes the big bucks for a reason.
Absolutely NO to another year of Delgado.
Come on, move on, get younger, get tougher, get some leaders on this team.
NO to Delgado.
I say yes because there’s not a better option out there except Texy, and there’s no way you want to get bogged down with that contract for a guy who, good as he is, is no Pujols-type.
Delgado isn’t the ideal option at first, but I don’t think that, for the money, there’s a better one.
i guess it would be better to keep him unless we could work out a trade for adrian gonzalez.Other than that i would try to trade for jon broxton and and sign brian fuentes and try to trade for zach greinke[hed be better than pedro and lot younger. than try to get another power hitting outfielder. second could be murph.
and yknow what? i wouldnt think twice of trading f mart .remember he could be another alex escobar.
First time poster here. I have a radical idea which addresses a variety of needs. Pick up CD’s option, send him along with Heilman, Church, and Reyes to Toronto for Wells, Hallday, Scutaro and Overbay. Maybe even dump Castillo too on them and pay a majority of his salary. This changes the staleness of the core, brings in a gritty player (Scutaro) which this team sorely needs. It addresses the SP which this team lacks. It gives them a good bat/glove mix at 1B as well. The deal works out $$ wise. It leaves you short a 2B, which I would love to sign Hudson. Your RicohMetsyDefense would look like this:
LF-Evans/Murphy/Tatis
CF-Beltran
RF-Wells
3B-Wright
SS-Scutaro
2B-ODog
1B-Overbay
C-Castro/Schneider