Barring a trade, it appears Carlos Delgado will remain the Mets’ first baseman.
General manager Omar Minaya said yesterday the team almost certainly will exercise its option on Delgado.
“I’ve spoken with his agent and just let him know that we are probably looking at having Carlos Delgado, we’re picking up the option,” Minaya said on a conference call. “We have made contact with his agent and notified him that we are going towards picking up his option.”
The move allows the Mets to have control over Delgado at a reasonable cost and gives them the flexibility to move him in a deal. Delgado’s option is for $12 million (the alternative is a $4 million buyout). This past season the 36-year-old hit .271 with 38 homers and 115 RBIs in 159 games.
The Mets don’t have to make their decision on Delgado’s option official until at least Nov. 5 (or if it’s later, five days after the World Series).
David Sloane, Delgado’s agent, declined to get into specifics but said the call from Minaya was encouraging.
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Minaya on Brewers hurler and free-agent-to-be CC Sabathia: “We have to look at everything.” The GM signed pitcher Johan Santana to a six-year $137.5 million contract last winter. . . . Minaya on free agent-to-be Oliver Perez: “I think he did a very good job for us and at some point in time we’ll sit down with his agent.”