The Winner of Delgado Sweepstakes is...

the Marlins....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1975153

ESPN.com news services

MIAMI -- Free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado agreed Tuesday to a $52 million, four-year contract with the Florida Marlins, who added the left-handed power they've lacked.

The agreement, which could be worth $64 million over five seasons. It's expected to become official Thursday after Delgado undergoes a physical and the sides agree to contract language.

Under the terms of the deal under discussion earlier in the day, Delgado would get just $4 million this year, a baseball official told The Associated Press, also on condition of anonymity.

Delgado would get $13.5 million in 2006, $14.5 million in 2007 and $16 million in 2008, and the deal would include a $16 million option for 2009 that would become guaranteed based on how Delgado does in MVP voting and whether he earns postseason MVP awards.

If the option doesn't become guaranteed, Florida would have the right to exercise a $12 million option. If the option is declined, Delgado would get a $4 million buyout.

Delgado chose the Marlins over offers from the New York Mets, Texas and Baltimore.

The Marlins made an initial offer of $35 million for three years, the richest per-season deal in franchise history, then went even higher to win the bidding. The contract will push their payroll above $56 million for the first time.

They landed the most formidable left-handed power hitter in their 12-year history. Delgado, 32, hit at least 30 homers each of the past eight seasons in Toronto. Last season he batted .269 last season for Toronto with 32 homers and 99 RBIss.

The deal was sealed 10 days after Delgado flew from his native Puerto Rico to Miami and spent 5½ hours with Marlins officials, including owner Jeffrey Loria.