Carlos Delgado Signs Minor League Deal With Red Sox

By John in Featured, Red Sox ⋅ August 7, 2010 at 9:27pm ⋅ Post a comment

Expect to see Carlos Delgado with the big club before the month is through. (Getty Images / Doug Benc)

In the wake of the injury to Youk, the Red Sox have signed first baseman Carlos Delgado to a minor league deal. Delgado was sidelined early on in 2009 during his last season with the Mets with hip problems, and hasn’t played since. With Boston’s premier first baseman out for the season, signing Delgado became a priority for the ailing Sox.

Delgado will earn $20,000 per month in the minor leagues, $3 million per year (pro-rated) at the major league level, and get post-season incentives. However, if the Red Sox don’t call up Delgado from Pawtucket by the beginning of September, he can opt out of the contract. Since he wouldn’t be eligible for the post-season roster, you’d think he might do that and test the market next season.

Consequences For Mike Lowell

First of all, let me clarify something for those who are worried. It’s not that the Red Sox don’t have faith in Mike Lowell or that he isn’t productive; both of those are untrue. But the thing is, Lowell is in a contract year, and nobody will want to pick him up at his overpriced salary and with his injury issues. With Lowell losing his spot at 3rd to Adrian Beltre and stating he could very well retire, the Sox really want to figure out a plan for 2011 now instead of scrambling at the last minute.

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“Mikey Lowell is the guy that we’re playing at first. Whatever, whenever, whoever [we add], would be to hopefully complement him,” said Terry Francona.

So basically, Mikey will get his time at 1st base, at worst serving as a back-up and coming in late in the game for the lesser bat. At best, he’ll still be in there most of the time. But even if he is used sparingly, with a possible retirement imminent, it could just be the Sox easing him out.

Tags: Carlos Delgado, Mike Lowell, New York Mets, Red Sox