Reply #2: ESPN: Marlins sign 4-year, $52 million deal with Carlos Delgado

[SeanQuinn]

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Article full link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1975153

MIAMI -- 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 contains an option year that makes it potentially worth $64 million over five seasons, is contingent on Delgado passing a physical Wednesday, the Marlins said. A news conference tentatively is set for Thursday.

Delgado makes Florida perhaps the team to beat in the NL East.

"It's a spectacular day for the franchise," owner Jeffrey Loria said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "I'm going to spring training tomorrow. I'm not waiting."

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The deal with Delgado was sealed 10 days after he flew from his native Puerto Rico to Miami and spent 5½ hours with Marlins officials, including Loria.

Delgado's agent, David Sloane, said negotiations with the Rangers fell apart because they wanted him primarily as a designated hitter.

Under the deal, the option year would become guaranteed if Delgado accumulates 30 points in the next four years.

He would get 10 points for winning the NL MVP award and nine for finishing second and so on under a formula that gives him one point for finishing 10th. He would get 20 points if he's the World Series MVP and 10 if he's the league championship series MVP.