A Fight For Delgado?
By Ian Haan
Help could be on the way for the Boston Red Sox soon — if they make the right move. According to Toronto Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi in an interview with Peter Gammons of ESPN, the Blue Jays management will "approach Delgado in the very near future to ask him to waive his no-trade clause." Delgado will be a free-agent after this 2004 season, and is raking in $18.5 million this year. But just who are the key teams in this situation?
According to Gammons of ESPN, "the Jays could put Delgado on the market soon, and that the Dodgers, Marlins and Red Sox have all called the team to inquire about his availability." If The Red Sox are unable to pick up Randy Johnson from the Arizona Diamondbacks, I would expect the Sox to turn their focus to Delgado, and post a substantial offer to the Blue Jays for the first baseman. Delgado currently has a .223 AVG, with 10 HRs and 36 RBIs. There is no doubt in my mind that the Sox would love to sign Delgado; for it would serve any club good to have this high-caliber ball player. But why shop Delgado? Need I remind you the trade deadline is July 31st? Delgado has not proved to be such a positive asset to the Blue Jays the past few years; and is only costing them money. Toronto Is 14.0 games behind the first place Yankees in the AL East, so why not go shopping? The Jays need an answer to their problems, and so do so many other teams, including the Red Sox. As the deadline approaches and things heat up, expect there to be a fight for Carlos Delgado; and consider the Bo Sox serious contenders.
Sources:
www.bluejays.mlb.com
www.espn.com
www.mlb.com
