One of these days, Mets GM Omar Minaya will learn what it is like to lose out on a high profile free agent. Though that day might not arrive for a while, writes Newsday’s David Lennon.
The Mets shifted gears yesterday in their pursuit of Carlos Delgado by leapfrogging the Rangers and scheduling a meeting with the free-agent first baseman for this morning in Puerto Rico, a day earlier than Texas.
The power play was expected from Mets general manager Omar Minaya, whose aggressive style this offseason has shown that he has both the chutzpah and the financial resources to sign anyone within range of the Wilpons’ private jet, from Pedro Martinez to Carlos Beltran and now Delgado, the last remaining prize on the free-agent shelf.
Three other teams are competing with the Mets — the Marlins, Rangers and Orioles — and Florida reportedly has the biggest ante on the table at three years, $35 million.
But that is certain to change beginning today, with one person familiar with the negotiations saying that the Mets are preparing a four-year offer in the $45-million range, with room to edge slightly upward, if necessary. The Rangers’ stance, according to another source, is to go no higher than $10 million per season, but with the flexibility to go to four years. Texas will know quickly where it stands after Minaya’s group, which includes chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, meets with Delgado and his agent, David Sloane.
“From the Rangers’ point of view, we’ll give it our best shot,” Rangers owner Tom Hicks told reporters yesterday on a conference call from the Dominican Republic. ” will have other opportunities, but we stack up very well. He likes our ballpark. He likes our young team. Hopefully, we’ll have a good meeting.”
As for the Orioles, growing concerns about the relocated Nationals biting into their D.C. market share — as well as very little hope of being in contention in the fearsome AL East — make them a fading long shot.