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Marlins Entertaining offers for Delgado

The Marlins vow to cut down payroll and are in search for a new home outside of Miami. Sounds familiar? Does the team really mean it this time or is it another one of their off-season?s resolutions for next year? You can bet the Mariners will attempt to sucker the Marlins into trading Carlos Delgado for a bunch of prospects.

Delgado, owed $44 million over the next three years, figures to be the next to go as the Marlins slice and dice a roster that went 83-79 last year. And don?t tell me the left-handed slugger wouldn?t look mighty nice in the middle of the Mariners? lineup. The Marlins are already are in the middle of dealing front-line pitcher Josh Beckett and former All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell to the Red Sox for three minor leaguers.

The Mariners pursued Delgado last offseason, but wound up opting for righties Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson instead. It?s time to close the Delgado deal, this time by trade. It?ll take some doing to outbid other teams interested in a 33-year-old slugger who hit .301 with 33 home runs and 115 RBIs last year. The Mets and Orioles are among the pursuers. But it?s time for Seattle to step up boldly to turn things back around before their own fan base drifts away.