Mets not picking up Delgado's 09 option

[NYMets523]

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMTQmZmdi ZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwODEwMDcmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZU VFeXk2


The Mets chased Delgado for a year before finally acquiring him last winter. That trade made him eligible to demand a trade this winter, an option he declined.

In return, the Mets could have guaranteed his option, but didn't. Delgado had no hard feelings.

"They didn't have to," he said. "I had to make a decision and I will always make a decision on what's good for me, not what am I going to get in return.

"We did talk about the extension. They said, 'We're not going to do that.' I said, 'Not a problem. I'm happy here. See you Feb. 19 at spring training.' It was as simple as that."

[moebarguy]

Smart move...let's see how he does the next two seasons

[milladrive]

Delgado wanted the Mets to exercise his '09 option during the winter in consideration for not invoking his right to demand a trade. The Mets called his bluff and did not exercise his option at this time.

However, this does not mean that they have refused to exercise the option. They can still exercise the option later.

We shall see what happens.

[freshprince85]

agree with you.
it wasn´t important to pick up his option for 09 now

[Dalkowski110]

Well, that gives some room for blue chip first base prospect Mike Carp to develop. The kid's only 20 and improving. Or, we could simply dump Carp and stick Milledge and Gomez in the corner OF positions while moving Fernando Martinez to first base, thus allowing keeping Beltran.

[Joltin Joe Giradio]

Delgado is starting on the downward slope.

[moebarguy]

Delgado is starting on the downward slope.

I actually think that he has a few more .300 seasons left in him...after that though....

[Joltin Joe Giradio]

I think it'll be hard for him to hit .300 at shea. Most players seem to lose pts off their BA when they become Mets cuz of the homepark.

[Dalkowski110]

I'd say he'll hit maybe .270-.280 this season. I doubt he'll hit .300. He'll hit over 30 homers again, though. He's not rolling downhill out of control...I just think he's naturally declining. Like I said earlier, this should give Mike Carp (who will be 23, I think) an opportunity to take over at first...so long as he doesn't continue fielding like Dick Stuart, anyway.