Delgado Agrees to Record-Breaking Contract
N E W Y O R K, Oct. 20 -- The Toronto Blue Jays and Carlos Delgado shookup baseball’s salary structure today, agreeing to a record $68million, four-year contract that makes him the sport’s highest-paid player.
The Blue Jays called a news conference today to announcethe contract, which will average $17 million per season. The dealwas confirmed to The Associated Press by Delgado’s agent, DavidSloane.
Delgado gets a $4.8 million signing bonus and salaries of $10million in 2001, $17.2 million in 2002, $17.5 million in 2003 and$18.5 million in 2004.
None of the money is deferred, and Delgado gets a completeno-trade clause.
Dreams of Grandeur
“These Blue Jays are going to become what the Blue Jays of 1992and 1993 were,” Sloane said by telephone from Toronto.
The average salary of $17 million breaks the previous mark of$15.45 million set by Roger Clemens and the New York Yankeesearlier this year when they agreed to what amounts to a two-yearextension worth $30.9 million.
Delgado’s deal falls short of the record for total dollars, setin December 1998 when Kevin Brown and the Los Angeles Dodgersagreed to a $105 million, seven-year contract,
Delgado’s mark is not likely to last long. Seattle shortstopAlex Rodriguez is eligible for free agency following the WorldSeries and is expected to get a record deal that could be worth $20million or more.
Delgado, 28, hit .344 this season with 41 homers, 137 RBIs and123 walks, finishing fourth in the American League in batting, tiedfor fourth in home runs and tied for fourth in RBIs.
In 1999, he batted .272 with 44 homers and 134 RBIs, and theBlue Jays rewarded him with a $36 million, three-year contract thatcalled for a $3 million signing bonus and salaries of $5.6 millionin 2000, $12.65 million in 2001 and $14.75 million in 2002.
But the deal also contained a unique provision, giving Delgadothe right to demand a trade in the 10 days following the WorldSeries. If he had exercised that right and the Blue Jays had failedto deal him, he would have had the right to become a free agentnext Feb. 15.
