Delgado heading to Florida

[Yoda]

January 25, 2005, at 04:45 PM ET

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Free agent first baseman Carlos Delgado has apparently agreed in principle to a four-year deal with the Florida Marlins worth $52 million, according to Newsday.

Delgado also had offers on the table from the Mets and the Orioles.

Texas was also said to be in the running for Delgado's services, but pulled out after reportedly withdrawing their four-year, $48 million offer because the slugger would not come to the Rangers as a designated hitter.

The 32-year-old Delgado has spent his entire 12-year career with the Blue Jays, but Toronto didn't offer the slugger salary arbitration this winter.

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[Yoda]

UPDATE

Delgado agrees to sign $52 million deal with Marlins

By STEVEN WINE, AP Sports Writer

January 25, 2005

MIAMI (AP) -- Free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado agreed Tuesday to a $52 million, four-year contract with the Florida Marlins, who added the left-handed power they've lacked.

The agreement, which could be worth $64 million over five seasons, was confirmed by a team official who spoke on condition of anonymity. It's expected to become official Thursday after Delgado undergoes a physical and the sides agree to contract language.

Under the terms of the deal under discussion earlier in the day, Delgado would get just $4 million this year, another baseball official told The Associated Press, also on condition of anonymity.

Delgado would get $13.5 million in 2006, $14.5 million in 2007 and $16 million in 2008, and the deal would include a $16 million option for 2009 that would become guaranteed based on how Delgado does in MVP voting and whether he earns postseason MVP awards.

If the option doesn't become guaranteed, Florida would have the right to exercise a $12 million option. If the option is declined, Delgado would get a $4 million buyout.

Delgado chose the Marlins over offers from the New York Mets, Texas and Baltimore.

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