Cameron's new position is left out
Former centerfielder changes direction, says he won't switch to rightfield and wants to be traded, so focus shifts to Delgado
BY KEN DAVIDOFF AND JON HEYMAN
STAFF WRITERS
January 12, 2005
If the Mets are to add Carlos Delgado to their winter renovation, they'd prefer to clear some salary.
Conveniently enough, Mike Cameron would prefer to be elsewhere.
With Carlos Beltran taking his centerfield job, Cameron has conveyed to the Mets that he'd rather play centerfield elsewhere than play rightfield for them, according to an industry source. The Mets would like to shed Cameron, who is due about $14 million over the next two seasons, off their payroll as they prepare to meet with Delgado in Puerto Rico, as early as tonight.
The Diamondbacks, Astros and Tigers are looking for a centerfielder. The Yankees, having not gone after Beltran, know that Bernie Williams is on the decline, making them a longshot.
If the Mets succeed in trading Cameron, they could replace him with free agent Magglio Ordonez, whose medical records they have requested and received this offseason. Or they could go with lower-budget option Victor Diaz, or Mets general manager Omar Minaya could renew his quest to bring Sammy Sosa to Queens.
In all, it means the Mets, even after signing Pedro Martinez and Beltran, aren't finished with their offseason shopping.
"They said they're not done yet," Beltran, who spoke with Delgado this week, said of his new superiors.
"They want to go after Carlos [Delgado]. But it will depend on what Carlos needs. At the same time, I really believe Carlos can be a good fit in this organization."
Delgado, a native Puerto Rican like Beltran, will meet with Mets officials while they are in the area for a Beltran news conference tomorrow. The Texas Rangers have expressed moderate interest in the 32-year-old, as have the Baltimore Orioles. Delgado's first choice was to sign with the Yankees, who never seriously considered him.
The Mets have offered him a three-year contract worth just under $30 million, a package that Delgado has deemed unappealing. Given what his fellow corner infielders Troy Glaus (four years, $45 million from Arizona) and Richie Sexson (four years, $50 million from Seattle) received on the open market, Delgado wants a four-year deal worth significantly more than $10 million per season.
Delgado is a poor defensive first baseman, however, so he would probably be a better fit with an American League club, for whom he could start some games at designated hitter.
Therefore, the Mets could opt to go in a different direction. They could sign either former Met and Yankee John Olerud or former Yankee Travis Lee, both strong defensively, to a one-year deal and take a one-year flier on Ordonez. Or they could seek a trade for the Red Sox's Doug Mientkiewicz.
The 30-year-old Ordonez underwent left knee surgery last season, and he will likely hold an open workout for interested clubs in the next week or two.
Earlier this offseason, Cameron had agreed to shift to rightfield, had the Mets defied the odds and signed Beltran. Perhaps Cameron never figured the Mets would actually get Beltran. Cameron's first season with the Mets was a mild disappointment, as the two-time Gold Glove winner didn't impress with his defense. He hit just .231 with 143 strikeouts, although he provided 30 homers.
Neither Cameron nor his agent Michael Nicotera returned a phone call yesterday.
Notes and quotes. The Mets have signed pitcher Philip Humber, their first-round pick from last year's amateur draft, for a $3.675-million signing bonus. Humber, a righthander, pitched for Rice University. Upon signing, he immediately reported to the Mets' minicamp in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
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LOL, what happend to all that talk about switching to right? Get him out of here now. *****!
Former centerfielder changes direction, says he won't switch to rightfield and wants to be traded, so focus shifts to Delgado
BY KEN DAVIDOFF AND JON HEYMAN
STAFF WRITERS
January 12, 2005
If the Mets are to add Carlos Delgado to their winter renovation, they'd prefer to clear some salary.
Conveniently enough, Mike Cameron would prefer to be elsewhere.
With Carlos Beltran taking his centerfield job, Cameron has conveyed to the Mets that he'd rather play centerfield elsewhere than play rightfield for them, according to an industry source. The Mets would like to shed Cameron, who is due about $14 million over the next two seasons, off their payroll as they prepare to meet with Delgado in Puerto Rico, as early as tonight.
The Diamondbacks, Astros and Tigers are looking for a centerfielder. The Yankees, having not gone after Beltran, know that Bernie Williams is on the decline, making them a longshot.
If the Mets succeed in trading Cameron, they could replace him with free agent Magglio Ordonez, whose medical records they have requested and received this offseason. Or they could go with lower-budget option Victor Diaz, or Mets general manager Omar Minaya could renew his quest to bring Sammy Sosa to Queens.
In all, it means the Mets, even after signing Pedro Martinez and Beltran, aren't finished with their offseason shopping.
"They said they're not done yet," Beltran, who spoke with Delgado this week, said of his new superiors.
"They want to go after Carlos [Delgado]. But it will depend on what Carlos needs. At the same time, I really believe Carlos can be a good fit in this organization."
Delgado, a native Puerto Rican like Beltran, will meet with Mets officials while they are in the area for a Beltran news conference tomorrow. The Texas Rangers have expressed moderate interest in the 32-year-old, as have the Baltimore Orioles. Delgado's first choice was to sign with the Yankees, who never seriously considered him.
The Mets have offered him a three-year contract worth just under $30 million, a package that Delgado has deemed unappealing. Given what his fellow corner infielders Troy Glaus (four years, $45 million from Arizona) and Richie Sexson (four years, $50 million from Seattle) received on the open market, Delgado wants a four-year deal worth significantly more than $10 million per season.
Delgado is a poor defensive first baseman, however, so he would probably be a better fit with an American League club, for whom he could start some games at designated hitter.
Therefore, the Mets could opt to go in a different direction. They could sign either former Met and Yankee John Olerud or former Yankee Travis Lee, both strong defensively, to a one-year deal and take a one-year flier on Ordonez. Or they could seek a trade for the Red Sox's Doug Mientkiewicz.
The 30-year-old Ordonez underwent left knee surgery last season, and he will likely hold an open workout for interested clubs in the next week or two.
Earlier this offseason, Cameron had agreed to shift to rightfield, had the Mets defied the odds and signed Beltran. Perhaps Cameron never figured the Mets would actually get Beltran. Cameron's first season with the Mets was a mild disappointment, as the two-time Gold Glove winner didn't impress with his defense. He hit just .231 with 143 strikeouts, although he provided 30 homers.
Neither Cameron nor his agent Michael Nicotera returned a phone call yesterday.
Notes and quotes. The Mets have signed pitcher Philip Humber, their first-round pick from last year's amateur draft, for a $3.675-million signing bonus. Humber, a righthander, pitched for Rice University. Upon signing, he immediately reported to the Mets' minicamp in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
______________________
LOL, what happend to all that talk about switching to right? Get him out of here now. *****!
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