And then there were three

It appears the Rangers have gracefully bowed out of the bidding for Carlos Delgado, having had their 4-year/$45MM offer mulled over, duly noted, but ultimately chuckled at by agent David Sloane. Actually, the real sticking point was that the Rangers are already blessed with Mark Teixeira at first base, and Hank Blalock at third (where Teixeira used to play), meaning Delgado would have to do a whole lotta DH'ing, which is not his pleasure.

The Bergen record reports that Omar Minaya, whose willingness to offer a fourth year to Pedro made all the difference in their bidding war with the Red Sox, is standing firm on a three year maximum for Delgado. The Orioles, who briefly had the highest current bid, may or may not have such qualms. Newsday reports they've offered 4 years, the Baltimore Sun reports they haven't. Being a fan of "The Wire", I'm inclined to believe the local Baltimore press has the better information (obtained, I like to think, by bugging Jim Beattie's cell), and that only the Marlins are willing to go "all the way" with Carlos.

Whether the Orioles have or haven't offered a fourth, the Mets will still have to bump the annual salary up considerably if they expect to avoid a Craig Brazell/Andres (not his son or anything)Galarraga platoon at the 3 next year.

How far up do you have to go? I think somewhere in between Pedro money (13M) and Beltran money (17M) would be reasonable. Not having to pay him 8 figures when he's 36 years old is worth a few extra million in the short term. But how do the negotiations stand now?

ESPN reports that the Mets had given Sloane a Sunday night ultimatum ("We want an answer now!... or at some point after the Pats-Steelers game, at the latest!"). It did not have the intended effect of bringing Delgado and rep to their knees, but the dialogue apparently continues.

Here's what I'm hoping for: A 3-year/$42MM contract, which buys 2 vintage Delgado seasons (.290/425/550), and a third one which, suffice it to say, makes Omar's insistence on a three year deal look good. I don't want to see the Age-38 second wind that has redefined the careers of Luis Gonzalez, Steve Finley, and The Bonds.

I just want a slugging first baseman who's going to earn his millions and then, in 2.5 years or so, break down like a Compaq. Is that so much to ask?