A Mets deal for Carlos Delgado could happen quickly, reports Kevin Kernan; the Daily News concurs.
If, in fact, the Mets part with their top pitching prospect to get Delgado, while absorbing all of Delgado's financial obligations, they are insane. They could offer a bag of balls at this point and Florida will take a deal, so long as the Mets are taking the contract. Again, there is no question that the Mets are going to have the best offseason, on paper, of any team in the majors: They're probably going to sign Billy Wagner, they could get Delgado very soon, and they're going to get a good catcher.
But the trademark of Omar Minaya's dealings so far is that he overpays for everything. He can get Delgado, and that's great. But why overpay for him? Why not tell the Marlins, Look, you don't have teams beating down your door to take his contract. We'll do you a favor and take his contract, and you'll take one Grade B-minus prospect from this list of three, along with this backup Class A catcher, and you'll be thrilled with that.
Landing Pedro, Beltran, Wagner, Delgado, all good. But at some point, the bill is going to come due, and the Mets at least have to try to pay market value, rather than spending above and beyond that in each and every deal.
• The Marlins are playing the last card available to them in the game of stadium poker: gutting the team and signaling a departure unless they get a new park. If you make any kind of money with the Marlins, pack your bags and prepare to move: There are more trades to come. Fans tell the Palm Beach Post that they understand the team's position on this; Dave Hyde says don't blame Jeffrey Loria.
Personally, I wouldn't blame the Marlins for moving; that's their right. But I also don't think anybody owes them a new ballpark, either. They'll get one in Las Vegas or in Portland or maybe in South Florida.
• With Josh Beckett almost in hand, the Red Sox are talking about a first baseman who can't find a spot with the Rangers. Jackie MacMullan has yes-but questions about Beckett's blisters before she's ready to summon Larry Lucchino out of hiding. Tony Massarotti is thinking about future deals. Gordon Edes wonders why Theo Epstein keeps going back to Fenway. These days, Manny Ramirez has some West Coast bias, according to Michael Silverman.
• The Orioles have made a respectable offer to B.J. Ryan: 3 years, $18 million. But that's probably well below what other teams -- especially the loser of the Billy Wagner sweepstakes -- will offer. And right now, the Orioles indicate a Carlos Delgado trade is not likely.
• Ryan and Tom Gordon are at the top of this AL Central team's list.
• For a lot of the young Astros, the World Series share is a big deal.
• Nice story about the D-Rays' new bench coach, who is getting a shot at the big leagues after 30 years in the minors.
• Jim Salisbury follows Billy Wagner to New York and sees bright lights in his eyes.
• Some day, Bud Black will be a great manager. Maybe with the Dodgers.