11-26-2005, 06:33 AM
<span style='font-size:13pt;line-height:100%'>Soriano could be next target for Minaya </span>
Thursday, November 24, 2005
By BOB KLAPISCH
Bergen Record
The image is almost too rich for Met fans to digest - a lineup that's
loaded
with power and speed, 2-through-5, good enough to turn the Mets into
real
run producers.
The Carlos Delgado stunning acquisition Wednesday has transformed the
Mets
into wild-card favorites, and, according to one National League
executive,
Omar Minaya isn't finished adding octane to the offense.
After formally announcing the Delagado deal either today or Friday, the
Mets
will explore a trade for Alfonso Soriano, which, if completed, would
complete the transformation Minaya had dreamt of since becoming the
general
manager.
Already he's looking at the early stages of a Murderers' Row: Carlos
Beltran, David Wright, Carlos Delgado and Cliff Floyd. And that's
without
Soriano, whom the Rangers are looking to move, or Manny Ramirez, who is
apparently history at Fenway, too.
Money is apparently no obstacle to the Mets, who are shedding some $35
million from last year's payroll and project no higher than the
low-$100
million mark. They're willing to take on the $10 million or so that the
arbitration-eligible Soriano will earn this year, although Ramirez's
$20
million annual salary will be tougher to digest.
"We'd have to move some money to make that happen," is how one official
described a trade scenario between the Mets and Red Sox. It's either
that,
or the Sox agree to pay a portion of Manny's earnings. Boston would
have to
initiate the talks, as well, which is why the Mets still regard a deal
for
Ramirez as a long shot.
For the time being, though, Delgado's arrival will further tempt Billy
Wagner to accept the Mets' three-year, $30 million offer. In fact, they
may
not have to guarantee that fourth year, after all. The current deal is
structured with an easy-to-reach fourth-year rollover - "only a major
injury" could prevent Wagner from reaching the requisite levels,
according
to one person familiar with the language - that swells the package to
$40
million.
And if Wagner is thinking about getting to the World Series, the Mets
think
they offer a straighter, less cluttered path to the postseason than the
Phillies. That's the dividend that Delgado offers all by himself. He's
a
stand-alone threat to the Braves, having batted .333 at Turner Field
last
year, and a proven clutch hitter.
Delgado batted .359 in September, while the Marlins were chasing a
playoff
spot, and batted .327 overall with runners in scoring position. Delgado
isn't young, but at 33 is still capable of producing at least three
more
quality seasons, in the Mets' estimation. For that reason, they're
comfortable with trading away Yusmeiro Petit, their best pitching
prospect,
along with Mike Jacobs.
Yet, there are unresolved issues: it was Delgado who harpooned a deal
with
the Mets last winter as a free agent. He signed a four-year, $52
million
deal with Florida after deciding the Mets had overplayed their racial
and
ethnic connection while recruiting him. In particular, Delgado took
offense
to Tony Bernazard, one of Minaya's closest associates, for speaking to
him
in what one person called "street" Spanish.
The two men are Puerto Rican born, and Bernazard apparently assumed a
tone
of familiarity that Delgado considered off-putting and disrespectful.
On two
separate occasions, Delgado asked his agent, David Sloane, to instruct
the
Mets to keep Bernazard out of the talks. Ultimately, Bernazard was
forced to
the sidelines, but by the time Minaya took over it was too late.
Sloane angrily said Delgado was choosing Florida because the Mets
didn't
treat Delgado like a man. All this is still relevant because Delgado
now has
the contractual right to demand a trade after the 2006 season. If the
Mets
don't comply, he becomes a free agent again in 2007.
When asked if there was any leftover hostility between Delgado and the
Mets,
Sloane replied via e-mail: "We're waiting to see how the Mets want to
handle
it. No comment until then."
The Mets find it hard to believe Delgado would still hold a grudge a
year
later, if for no other reason than the $48 million he'll earn at Shea
over
the next three years. There's no guarantee that kind of money will be
available to Delgado if he reenters the market. One Met official said
Wednesday, "We consider this water under the bridge."
Nevertheless, CEO Jeff Wilpon was intending to speak to Delgado by the
end
of Wednesday afternoon, just to smooth over the rough edges.
And what about Delgado's long-running vow not to stand for God Bless
America? That's another matter the Mets need to resolve. In past years,
Delgado has avoided scrutiny by remaining in the clubhouse during the
playing of the song, although when caught on the field - stranded on
the
bases after the last out, for instance - he has, in fact, removed his
hat
and assumed a respectful pose.
Delgado won't be able to hide now that he's a Met, even though the song
is
played less frequently than at Yankee Stadium.
But that's as far as the Mets' angst goes. For one chilly day in
November,
their universe looks almost perfect. It's not a perfect team, certainly
not
yet, but Minaya is one step closer to his Holy Grail offense.
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2005 21:18:59 -0500
From: "wally" <[email protected]>
Subject: ARTICLE: Delgado's addition helps Wagner cause
Plain Text Attachment [ Download File | Save to Yahoo! Briefcase ]
Delgado's addition helps Wagner cause
BY KEN DAVIDOFF AND DAVID LENNON
Newsday
Yesterday served as the Phillies' turn to talk finances with Billy
Wagner.
But the Mets spoke to Wagner through their acquisition of Carlos
Delgado.
Bean Stringfellow, Wagner's representative, said yesterday that he
called
Wagner as soon as he learned of the Mets' latest move. Wagner's
reaction,
according to the agent, was a simple, "Wow!"
"It does coincide with what Omar, and everyone involved with the Mets,
has
said," Stringfellow said. "They're dead-set on putting the best team
together to win the championship. This move is indicative of exactly
that."
On Tuesday, the Mets wrapped up Wagner's visit to New York by extending
a
three-year, $30.25-million offer to the free-agent closer. The offer
features a $10-million team option for 2009 that can be vested
automatically
if Wagner finishes 60 games in 2008. The 34-year-old finished 70 games
in
2005 and has hit the 60 mark in three of his past four seasons.
The offer also features a full no-trade clause.
The Phillies spoke with Stringfellow yesterday, and it's believed they
increased their offer from a two-year package with a vested option to
three
guaranteed years, with money similar to what the Mets tendered. Given
Wagner's stated enjoyment of his past two seasons in Philadelphia, that
could motivate the Mets to guarantee the fourth season.
"We had a nice conversation," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick told
the
Philadelphia Inquirer.
Though the arrival of Delgado solves the Mets' need for a big bat, the
club
will be disappointed if it can't land Wagner. There is hope that
Wagner's
two-day stay in New York eradicated any doubts that the lefthander had
about
moving his family here, although the money will probably prove the
biggest
factor.
"With Billy, there was a concern about him being comfortable here, and
I
think they were pleased by the visit," said Mets pitcher Tom Glavine,
who
took part in the recruiting effort. "If there was any apprehension or
whatever, I think that was addressed. Now it's just a matter of him
making a
decision."
Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
By BOB KLAPISCH
Bergen Record
The image is almost too rich for Met fans to digest - a lineup that's
loaded
with power and speed, 2-through-5, good enough to turn the Mets into
real
run producers.
The Carlos Delgado stunning acquisition Wednesday has transformed the
Mets
into wild-card favorites, and, according to one National League
executive,
Omar Minaya isn't finished adding octane to the offense.
After formally announcing the Delagado deal either today or Friday, the
Mets
will explore a trade for Alfonso Soriano, which, if completed, would
complete the transformation Minaya had dreamt of since becoming the
general
manager.
Already he's looking at the early stages of a Murderers' Row: Carlos
Beltran, David Wright, Carlos Delgado and Cliff Floyd. And that's
without
Soriano, whom the Rangers are looking to move, or Manny Ramirez, who is
apparently history at Fenway, too.
Money is apparently no obstacle to the Mets, who are shedding some $35
million from last year's payroll and project no higher than the
low-$100
million mark. They're willing to take on the $10 million or so that the
arbitration-eligible Soriano will earn this year, although Ramirez's
$20
million annual salary will be tougher to digest.
"We'd have to move some money to make that happen," is how one official
described a trade scenario between the Mets and Red Sox. It's either
that,
or the Sox agree to pay a portion of Manny's earnings. Boston would
have to
initiate the talks, as well, which is why the Mets still regard a deal
for
Ramirez as a long shot.
For the time being, though, Delgado's arrival will further tempt Billy
Wagner to accept the Mets' three-year, $30 million offer. In fact, they
may
not have to guarantee that fourth year, after all. The current deal is
structured with an easy-to-reach fourth-year rollover - "only a major
injury" could prevent Wagner from reaching the requisite levels,
according
to one person familiar with the language - that swells the package to
$40
million.
And if Wagner is thinking about getting to the World Series, the Mets
think
they offer a straighter, less cluttered path to the postseason than the
Phillies. That's the dividend that Delgado offers all by himself. He's
a
stand-alone threat to the Braves, having batted .333 at Turner Field
last
year, and a proven clutch hitter.
Delgado batted .359 in September, while the Marlins were chasing a
playoff
spot, and batted .327 overall with runners in scoring position. Delgado
isn't young, but at 33 is still capable of producing at least three
more
quality seasons, in the Mets' estimation. For that reason, they're
comfortable with trading away Yusmeiro Petit, their best pitching
prospect,
along with Mike Jacobs.
Yet, there are unresolved issues: it was Delgado who harpooned a deal
with
the Mets last winter as a free agent. He signed a four-year, $52
million
deal with Florida after deciding the Mets had overplayed their racial
and
ethnic connection while recruiting him. In particular, Delgado took
offense
to Tony Bernazard, one of Minaya's closest associates, for speaking to
him
in what one person called "street" Spanish.
The two men are Puerto Rican born, and Bernazard apparently assumed a
tone
of familiarity that Delgado considered off-putting and disrespectful.
On two
separate occasions, Delgado asked his agent, David Sloane, to instruct
the
Mets to keep Bernazard out of the talks. Ultimately, Bernazard was
forced to
the sidelines, but by the time Minaya took over it was too late.
Sloane angrily said Delgado was choosing Florida because the Mets
didn't
treat Delgado like a man. All this is still relevant because Delgado
now has
the contractual right to demand a trade after the 2006 season. If the
Mets
don't comply, he becomes a free agent again in 2007.
When asked if there was any leftover hostility between Delgado and the
Mets,
Sloane replied via e-mail: "We're waiting to see how the Mets want to
handle
it. No comment until then."
The Mets find it hard to believe Delgado would still hold a grudge a
year
later, if for no other reason than the $48 million he'll earn at Shea
over
the next three years. There's no guarantee that kind of money will be
available to Delgado if he reenters the market. One Met official said
Wednesday, "We consider this water under the bridge."
Nevertheless, CEO Jeff Wilpon was intending to speak to Delgado by the
end
of Wednesday afternoon, just to smooth over the rough edges.
And what about Delgado's long-running vow not to stand for God Bless
America? That's another matter the Mets need to resolve. In past years,
Delgado has avoided scrutiny by remaining in the clubhouse during the
playing of the song, although when caught on the field - stranded on
the
bases after the last out, for instance - he has, in fact, removed his
hat
and assumed a respectful pose.
Delgado won't be able to hide now that he's a Met, even though the song
is
played less frequently than at Yankee Stadium.
But that's as far as the Mets' angst goes. For one chilly day in
November,
their universe looks almost perfect. It's not a perfect team, certainly
not
yet, but Minaya is one step closer to his Holy Grail offense.
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2005 21:18:59 -0500
From: "wally" <[email protected]>
Subject: ARTICLE: Delgado's addition helps Wagner cause
Plain Text Attachment [ Download File | Save to Yahoo! Briefcase ]
Delgado's addition helps Wagner cause
BY KEN DAVIDOFF AND DAVID LENNON
Newsday
Yesterday served as the Phillies' turn to talk finances with Billy
Wagner.
But the Mets spoke to Wagner through their acquisition of Carlos
Delgado.
Bean Stringfellow, Wagner's representative, said yesterday that he
called
Wagner as soon as he learned of the Mets' latest move. Wagner's
reaction,
according to the agent, was a simple, "Wow!"
"It does coincide with what Omar, and everyone involved with the Mets,
has
said," Stringfellow said. "They're dead-set on putting the best team
together to win the championship. This move is indicative of exactly
that."
On Tuesday, the Mets wrapped up Wagner's visit to New York by extending
a
three-year, $30.25-million offer to the free-agent closer. The offer
features a $10-million team option for 2009 that can be vested
automatically
if Wagner finishes 60 games in 2008. The 34-year-old finished 70 games
in
2005 and has hit the 60 mark in three of his past four seasons.
The offer also features a full no-trade clause.
The Phillies spoke with Stringfellow yesterday, and it's believed they
increased their offer from a two-year package with a vested option to
three
guaranteed years, with money similar to what the Mets tendered. Given
Wagner's stated enjoyment of his past two seasons in Philadelphia, that
could motivate the Mets to guarantee the fourth season.
"We had a nice conversation," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick told
the
Philadelphia Inquirer.
Though the arrival of Delgado solves the Mets' need for a big bat, the
club
will be disappointed if it can't land Wagner. There is hope that
Wagner's
two-day stay in New York eradicated any doubts that the lefthander had
about
moving his family here, although the money will probably prove the
biggest
factor.
"With Billy, there was a concern about him being comfortable here, and
I
think they were pleased by the visit," said Mets pitcher Tom Glavine,
who
took part in the recruiting effort. "If there was any apprehension or
whatever, I think that was addressed. Now it's just a matter of him
making a
decision."
Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.
![[Image: 723475742_8cb2b0be6c.jpg]](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/723475742_8cb2b0be6c.jpg)