Mariners interested in Carlos Delgado? Ok....

[clarknova]

ProspectInsider


Reports suggest M's are interested in Carlos Delgado. Reports are correct.

Aging former all star 1st baseman coming off an injury. We just sold Mike Sweeney to the Phillies. We have a somewhat reasonable option on Branyan for next year and you can pencil in Smoak as the every day first baseman in 2011. Signing guys for this year is ridiculous, so this must be some part of a 2011 plan. The only way I see that happening is if they put Branyan on the bench to fill in at first and DH, Delgado becomes the DH. They're both lefties. Then what about Bradley? Release him? Saunders is really earning that left field spot in 2011 unless something better comes along via trade or FA. I can't see starting Bradley out there next year.

This would be bizarre to me, especially considering the M's growing reputation for trepidation about injuries. It would say to me that they think Delgado now is >> Branyan now.
I don't know. Someone explain this to me.

[TellItToTheDA]

Let me attempt to make some sense of this.

It's not a foregone conclusion that we bring back Russell Branyan next season. Frankly, I've been disappointed in him since he's been back. Besides the fact that he's been hurt, he's only hit 3 home runs, and his average in Seattle is a paltry .211. With those numbers, I'd like to get a look at Carlos Delgado. He could always split time with Milton at DH and spell Smoak at first base. But, it sounds like we're not the only team interested:

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5440162

[TellItToTheDA]

Hmm, It doesn't seem like we'd have much of a chance to pick him up:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/MLB-latest-news-from-August-080110


The Mariners, who traded first baseman Mike Sweeney to the Phillies on Wednesday, want to see Delgado work out before determining whether to pursue him, a source says.

Delgado wants to play for A) a team that is in a pennant race and B) would give him regular playing time once he was promoted to the majors.

The M’s are out of contention, and already have two left-handed first-base/DH types, Casey Kotchman and Russell Branyan, in addition to switch-hitter Milton Bradley, who is an occasional DH.

Kotchman, though, is batting .221 with a .656 OPS.

[clarknova]

I
t's not a foregone conclusion that we bring back Russell Branyan next season. Frankly, I've been disappointed in him since he's been back. Besides the fact that he's been hurt, he's only hit 3 home runs, and his average in Seattle is a paltry .211. With those numbers, I'd like to get a look at Carlos Delgado. He could always split time with Milton at DH and spell Smoak at first base.

I knew you'd be on top of that DA- I agree with your analysis- it's the only logical explanation however, it just seems strange to me to take a flyer o a guy like Delgado when Branyan, struggles and all, has done a pretty good job for a pretty good price last year and this. I mean, they just traded for the guy- he's doing pretty much what he did last season- strong start, trail off. Odd moves, but at this rate- toss him in there and see what happens. If he's healthy, he's better than Branyan. If he's not, I guess he's basically the same thing. It would all depend on the price.

I saw the article about the Sox. I'd be surprised to see the M's pull this off considering he'd have to want to play here, I just thought the idea that the M's were actively interested in signing him was a bit odd.

[clarknova]

Hmm, It doesn't seem like we'd have much of a chance to pick him up:

Yeah, the whole "wants to play for a winner" thing is probably the biggest obstacle. We'd have to overpay for him. Plus they want to poke and prod him before they'd consider it. Sounds like much ado about nothing. I didn't realize he hit 100 home runs between 2006 and 2008 before he got injured- including two 38 homer seasons. Like to see some of that pop.

[JosephC]

I'd let this pass by, but that is just me. Branyan is alright. He's been what we (or at least I) expected roughly.

[Igoe4Mariners]

Why the heck would we get Delgado? That would be pointless...we have Branyan, Smoak, Kotchman, Bradley in a giant logjam at DH/1B right now.

[TellItToTheDA]

Why the heck would we get Delgado? That would be pointless...we have Branyan, Smoak, Kotchman, Bradley in a giant logjam at DH/1B right now.

We know Kotchman won't be back. Smoak would play primarily 1B. If Branyan continues to put up the numbers he has in a Mariner uniform this year, I don't think he'll be back. It really comes down to who the Mariners feel would be a better fit for 2011, Russell Branyan, or Carlos Delgado. If we were to pick up Delgado, we could immediately pencil him in as the everyday DH for 2011.

[Igoe4Mariners]

We know Kotchman won't be back. Smoak would play primarily 1B. If Branyan continues to put up the numbers he has in a Mariner uniform this year, I don't think he'll be back. It really comes down to who the Mariners feel would be a better fit for 2011, Russell Branyan, or Carlos Delgado. If we were to pick up Delgado, we could immediately pencil him in as the everyday DH for 2011.

I was thinking from the rest of this year's point of view, but I see your point. Still, Delgado has missed almost two full years in a row now...it'll be extremely tough for him to come back strong.

[TellItToTheDA]

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/20563350296


Source: Carlos Delgado agrees to minor-league deal with #RedSox. Must be in majors by Sept. 1 or he can become free agent. #WhiteSox #MLB

[JosephC]

Well there goes that. What's your bet Branyan is going to be on the team next year? I'm going to say pretty high.