Continuing our review of available free agent first basemen, let's discuss Carlos Delgado. Delgado, 37, is represented by David Sloane. He tallied only 112 plate appearances last year before succumbing to May hip surgery. The year prior, Delgado mashed 38 homers for the Mets despite an awful April.
He attempted to prove his health in the Puerto Rican Winter League a month ago. However, one scout told ESPN's Jayson Stark that Delgado "can't play first on a day-to-day basis." Delgado appeared in 15 games, but played first base in only two of them.
Delgado told Primera Hora's Carlos Gonzalez, "If there's not work, I'll retire. That's not Plan A." He says teams in both leagues are interested (thanks to Nick Collias for the translation). However, the Blue Jays appear to be out while the Mets are close to signing Mike Jacobs and already re-signed Fernando Tatis. The Royals and Orioles reportedly observed Delgado in Puerto Rico, but both clubs are full at the first base/DH spots.
It’s amazing to see all these sluggers out of work. Some (e.g, Damon) are out of work due to their agent’s idiocy, others because of asking price, yet more because of the dramatic shift towards youth.
I think “agent idiocy” and “asking price” go hand in hand
If Delgado retired now, would he be a hall of famer someday? I think so.
I’d say no, but then again, if you’re comparing him to other HOFers, then you certainly have a case. Delgado had some very good years, but to me (and this is just me), his resume makes him far from a slam dunk given the context of the era in which he had his best seasons. He’s in that group with Jeff Bagwell, Fred McGriff, Jim Thome, and others. Very good players? HOFers? Eh….
I think Jeff Bagwell. I just think that the leway given to players that get in to the hall of fame don’t need to rack up 3000 hits and 500 homers but he does have 473 home runs…
The Tigers? The Rays? Ther are just not that many teams. I can’t imagine Branyan, Delgado, and Blalock with jobs that each is happy with by Opening Day.
What ever happened to the idea of Dye playing 1B?
No! Dont retire! You dont know what your doing. I can tell you right now, Nats are interseted
Lol no we’re not. Unless it’d be for a large pay cut and bench role.
you know, since were talking about the Nats, wouldn’t it be cool if the Reds and Natsz minor league teams faced each other. Pitchers would be Strasburg V.S. Chapman? O_O
I wouldn’t be surprised if he was on the juice.
thats a ridiculous thing to say.
…why? He posted some ridiculous years when steroids were at their peak, I wouldn’t be surprised either.
because believe it or not ryan, not every player took steriods. That is just being sterotypical towards Major League Baseball players who played in that time. I’m not saying he isn’t but we have no idea and shouldn’t assume.
But players who belted out 40 home runs during the prime of the steroid era ARE under a microscope more so than other players, whether he is your favorite player or not, there is going to be suspicion around his name.
No Spanny, unfortunately it’s not. Delgado has a sweet swing, and I was a fan of his way before he came to Queens, but I know that even as a fan I just can’t rule out a player having used PED’s offhand any more. Look at all the players who looked like natural sluggers all along but just fell off the cliff production-wise when the MLB finally decided to crack down on steroid use. Also if you look at the hip issues Delgado has, it’s not evidence, but it does give you something to at least ponder. I am not saying that I know anything. What I am saying is that it’s not just players that have to adjust to the reality of the post-steroids era. Fans do too, and that means we can’t dismiss the possibility that a favorite player was on the juice.
I honestly find the guys on here who assume Delgado juiced as a sad reflection of what baseball has become. Just because Delgado had some great numbers in no way indicates that he used performance enhancing drugs. Asked straight up about steroids, Delgado has always responded “Not one time.” He’s always been an open, friendly, well-regarded ball player, so I take him at his word.
Verducci did a great piece last year on Delgado, calling him “The lost slugger of the steroid era.” I think we should acknowledge Delgado’s accomplishments (which were often overlooked at the time) and not make assumptions about something there is no evidence to support.
So becuase a guy is “friendly, well regarded and open” he could not have done steroids, and you will give him the benefit of the doubt? So a player who put up similar numbers to Delgado in the same era who is surly, disagreeable and not a good teammate you would assume is on roids?
Because Delgado stated “not one time” (just like Palmero, Mcgwire, Sosa etc) he could not be juiced during the era?
I am not saying Carlos Delgado did roids, I am saying that your arguments and your rationale to support them are flawed.
Not in every case will there be “evidence to support” a players use of roids, however circumstantial evidence can be very powerful and compelling.
Kenny Williams – walk down the hall into Jerry’s office and crowbar some cash out of his pocket. At least offer the Andruw Jones deal.
would be great if he came back to the Marlins.. he wouldn’t be playing every day but he could be the left-handed bat of the bench and make spot starts when our 1st baseman is hurt and/or needs rest
Jacobs and Tatis has zero bearing on whether or not the Mets will pick up delgado. If he can play 1st and becomes more mobile you can believe the Mets will still sign him.
No question of it. I think that was the plan all along but it got derailed when they found Delgado couldn’t really move. Time will tell – and that could be why they didn’t go further than Tatis, while looking for 1B help.
Zero bearing…disagree.
Jacobs on a MLC w/spring training invite and tatis is a super sub. How would that block Delgado if Delgado proves he is able to increase his range? Mets still want Delgado if he can play the field.
Having a “full” position has never bothered the Royals before.
I’m saying I wouldn’t be surprised, not that he did. The fact is, he posted incredible power numbers during the steroid era. Every player (even those who did very little in their time in the bigs) is a suspect. The fact is, a lot more players did steroids than people want to accept.
Using steroids doesn’t mean he doesn’t have talent. Barry Bonds had an immense amount of talent, so did A-Rod, and Clemens, but it IMPROVED their game. You think those guys aren’t students of the game? Of course they are, A-Rod and Clemens are about as hard workers as you’ll find. Still, when given the chance to get that extra boost during a time when everyone was doing it, every player is a suspect, especially those with numbers like Delgado.
I take your point, and generally agree, with one caveat – he’s spoken of being open to ending his career with the Jays. If they pony up some money, but don’t guarantee him at bats, I’m sure he’d be happy to spend a year in Toronto. I don’t think they need another DH/1B-type, but they’ve been linked to Delgado (and Branyan) so maybe they’re looking.
Jacobs was willing to take a minor league contract with an invite to camp. At this point, older guys like those you mentioned wouldn’t even ponder a minor league contract.
Albert Pujols for example