Cutting the cord with Delgado

[Mex17]

I was wondering, if we decline the option on Delgado after the season, do we still get the compensitory draft choices if he signs elsewhere or does the declining of the option year nullify that?

[Guest AG/DC]

In order to get compensation, we either have to offer him arbitration, or he has to sign before the arbitration deadline.

[Frayed Knot]

And if you're going to offer him arbitration you had better be prepared to take him back at a rate pretty close to what he's making this year (20% max cut) if he accepts.

IOW, to get a pick (or picks) you'd have to:
1) decline the option
2) pay the buyout
3) offer arbitration
4) have him reject said arb and sign elsewhere

And even then it's not clear what picks you'd get for him. It would depend on where the Mets finish the season, where the teams that signs him finishes the season and what other FAs they might sign, plus how Carlos ranks compared to others at his position (Type A, Type B, etc). You might wind up going through all that for a pick that's no better than somewhere in the 60s or so.

[Guest Kong76]

Two run triple!

(oops wrong thread :-))

[Guest AG/DC]

If we're licking our chops for compensation picks (and how sad sould that be), it would seem that Perez and Martinez are all better bets.