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Bronco LB 59
01-25-2005, 03:53 PM
This is somewhat of a suprise to me considering the Marlins were competing with the deep pockets of Wilpon, Angelos and Hicks.

Delgado will be 32-36 during the duration of the contract which makes it a risky proposition for a franchise that isn't loaded with expendable revenue. Pro Player is not going to be too kind to Delgado's power numbers either.

I would be shocked if Loria holds up his end of the bargain without unloading Delgado in the next four years for prospects. If things go bad where attendance plummets, this organization and owner simply does not have the revenue to afford an aging power hitter at $13 million a season.


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1975153

Delgado agrees to sign $52 million deal with Marlins

By STEVEN WINE, AP Sports Writer
January 25, 2005

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 contains an option year that makes it potentially worth $64 million over five seasons, is contingent on Delgado passing a physical Wednesday, the Marlins said. A news conference tentatively is set for Thursday.

Delgado makes Florida perhaps the team to beat in the NL East.


``It's a spectacular day for the franchise,'' owner Jeffrey Loria said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ``I'm going to spring training tomorrow. I'm not waiting.''

The Marlins won the World Series in 1997 and 2003 but are still seeking their first division title and trying to win support for a new ballpark.

``We're about trying to be a very competitive ballclub, and the stadium will take of itself in due time,'' Loria said. ``But Carlos certainly is not going to hurt that effort.''

Delgado's deal calls for him to get just $4 million this year, a baseball official told the AP on condition of anonymity.

Delgado receives $13.5 million in 2006, $14.5 million in 2007 and $16 million in 2008, and the agreement includes 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 Marlins were 11th in the NL in runs and 12th in homers last year. Their top left-handed hitter, Juan Pierre, totaled three home runs.

Even so, Florida was in the race for a wild-card berth until mid-September, finishing 83-79, 13 games behind division winner Atlanta.

The deal with Delgado was sealed 10 days after he flew from his native Puerto Rico to Miami and spent 5 1/2 hours with Marlins officials, including Loria.

Delgado's agent, David Sloane, said negotiations with the Rangers fell apart because they wanted him primarily as a designated hitter.

Under the deal, the option year would become guaranteed if Delgado accumulates 30 points in the next four years. He would get 10 points for winning the NL MVP award and nine for finishing second and so on under a formula that gives him one point for finishing 10th. He would get 20 points if he's the World Series MVP and 10 if he's the league championship series MVP.

Breck Bronc
01-25-2005, 05:04 PM
The Marlins are going to field a pretty good team this year.

CF- Juan Pierre - overrated leadoff man still a nice player to have

2B- Luis Castillo - good number 2 hitter starting the downside of his career

RF- Miguel Cabrera - next generations Manny Ramirez without the baggage. An awesome talent

1B- Carlos Delgado - Can he hit for same power in South Florida? Heavy Spanish influence of team and city may re-invigorate him

3B- Mike Lowell - Awesome pre-All Star break player, below averag after AS break. Still one of the NL's best third basemen

C- Paul LoDuca - Another guy that tails off in the second half of the season, but a good guy to have on the team, as catching isn't very strong in NL.

LF- Jeff Conine - Another overrated player, but not a liability in the 7th hole.

SS- Alex Gonzalez - Very good defensive SS who has some power at the plate, but goes into long extended slumps filled with strikeouts and bad at bats.

Rotation

SP- Josh Beckett - The only question is if he can stay blister-free

SP- A. J. Burnett - Should be back to having #1 starter stuff 2 years after surgery

SP- Al Leiter - Second go around in Florida. What will he have left?

SP- Dontrelle Willis - Streaky pitcher entering his third season. Pretty good guy to have in the fourth spot in your rotation

SP- Ismeal Valdez - Just an innings eater, nothing special here

Closer- Guillermo Mota - He and the rest of the bullpen will be a huge question mark for the Marlins this upcoming season. The 'pen killed the Fish in '04.

If I were still living in SoFla I'd be sure to go see this team as many times as I could. Now I'm stuck with Todd Helton and the seven dwarfs playing in a great ballpark.

The NL East is shaping up to be a tough division in 2005. I'd love to see someone other than Atlanta finish first.

Bronco LB 59
01-25-2005, 05:48 PM
Although not top heavy, the NL East is as deep as any division in baseball from 1 to 5.

Braves: They made a huge move in adding Hudson but they have some major questionmarks in their lineup (Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan?) and I have serious doubts about Smoltz withstanding the grind of a full season in the rotation.

Marlins: They have as balanced as team as anybody in the division and they still managed to win 83 games last season despite their injuries and lack of offensive production. Leiter was a solid signing considering it was only for one year, I think he can rack up double digit wins and post a sub 4 ERA at Pro Player.

Mets: I love their offense, but I am very skeptical about their pitching. Pedro, Glavine, Benson and Zambrano all have questionmarks surrounding them.

Phillies: Their starting pitching is solid but lacks an Ace. They have this young kid Ryan Howard that can hit the cover off the ball but they have no room for him because Thome is blocking his path and they are set at the corner OF spots.

Expos: Decent rotation with Hernandez, Armas, Ohka, Loaiza and Day. Jim Bowden overpaid for the services of Castilla and Guzman. I am a big fan of Brad Wilkerson though and I think he is due for a breakout year.

-Slap-
01-25-2005, 06:12 PM
Geez, I can't move Miguel Cabrera any further up my draft board, can I?

TheManeMan
01-25-2005, 06:16 PM
Marlins are looking good...Thats all I know...Batista then Delgado? Wow...Pierre leading off...How many RBI's are those 2 going to combine for?? Lowell and LoDuca too...geez...Castillo had an off year last year as well...Great addition for them...

Hogan11
01-25-2005, 06:59 PM
He's gone by the end of July, along with Lowell......bank on it.