http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2979731 Carlos Beltran's agent resumes talks with Astros As reports circulated Wednesday that the Mets would offer Carlos Beltran roughly $100 million, the All-Star center fielder's agent, Scott Boras, resumed negotiations with the Astros. And contrary to reports saying Beltran was set to sign with New York, people inside the Mets camp were still debating whether they should sign free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado instead of Beltran, a person close to the situation told the Chronicle. If anything, some people with the Mets thought they were much closer to signing Delgado on Wednesday evening. Because Beltran turned down salary arbitration, the Astros have until 11 p.m. Saturday to re-sign him or lose any negotiation rights until May 1, when he already will be playing elsewhere. The Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and Yankees also have expressed interest in the man who is considered the prize of this winter's free-agent market. Boras has told teams the opening bid for Beltran is at seven years and $112 million. Boras told the Chronicle on Tuesday that he already had received offers from all the teams still involved. Beltran, 27, had 38 home runs with 104 RBIs and 42 stolen bases between the Astros and Kansas City Royals in 2004. The switch-hitting Beltran raised his stock in the playoffs, hitting .435 with eight home runs, 14 RBIs, nine walks and six stolen bases over 12 games while leading the Astros within a victory of the franchise's first World Series berth. The Mets and Astros are both lobbying Beltran to become the new face of their organizations, and top officials on both sides expect this deal to go down to the final minutes Saturday. Boras and Astros owner Drayton McLane talked via phone Wednesday afternoon for the first time since last Thursday. "We did not change our offer in any way," said McLane, whose offer has been reported as low as $70 million and as high as $96 million. "We had a great discussion. . . . I pointed out the great aspects of playing here in Houston. Carlos, I think he really, really enjoyed playing here." McLane had been longing for a return call from Boras, who along with Beltran played host to a contingent of four Mets officials Monday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since Mets owner Fred Wilpon, general manager Omar Minaya, assistant GM Jim Duquette and special assistant Tony Bernazard visited Beltran and Boras in Puerto Rico, they have quickly become the Astros' biggest competitors for him. The Mets didn't make an offer to Beltran in Puerto Rico, but Mets officials spent much of Tuesday preparing an offer to present on Wednesday. McLane and Astros general manager Tim Purpura were optimistic that they still were very much in the hunt. "That report that he's signed with the Mets is bull," a person close to the negotiations told the Chronicle. McLane expects to talk often with Boras until Beltran is signed. "The lines of communication are certainly open," Purpura said. "I'm sure we're going to call again. I would think that if something was imminent and about to be reported today, Boras would have shown us the respect to let us know that." Whether at South Padre Island with his wife, Elizabeth, over the New Year's Eve holiday or at church on Sunday, McLane has not gone anywhere without fans inquiring about Beltran's status. "When I jogged on the beach in South Padre Island, people stopped and asked me about Beltran," he said. "When I'm at church, people stop and ask me." Those questions picked up Wednesday as some Astros fans worried that Beltran had already been lured away by the Mets. "(Boras) updated me; he's still negotiating," McLane said. "We're still in it, but the time is getting short. They've given us no indication (he's close to signing with the Mets). He's certainly not given us any indication like that. "We're patiently waiting for some positive developments. We have three days to go, and in baseball that's a long way to go." Nonetheless, McLane says Boras has not promised the Astros the right to submit the last bid. "Whether he's going to call us before his final decision, I'm not sure," McLane said. "But he knows where we are. He knows the firmness of our offer, it's a very attractive offer."
The latest chron article made me a little bit more optimistic (even though it really didn't say anything except that "we're still in it.") Of course, had this been a NY paper running this article, the headline would have said "BELTRAN ON THE VERGE OF SIGNING WITH ______"
You're kidding, right? For the record, I for one am not "tired of seeing these guys play." I wonder indeed how "most fans" feel. I, for one, don't have the gall to attempt to speak on their behalf.
Oh yes. Love that Chronicle article. Love to see Delgado's name. It's still my theory that this is an elaborate ruse by the Mets to push down Delgado's price. After all, they have Hidalgo, Floyd and I think Mike Cameron or someone else in the outfield. Not superstars, but very good defensively and competent bats. What they need is punch in the infield, which Delgado can provide. McLane is not blinking until he sees a confirmed superior offer. He's banking on the fact that Beltran really prefers us over all other players. Thus, Beltran will have to have Boras come to the Stros with a final opportunity to match another team's offer. If the Yanks stay out of this, I like our chances.
If Beltran choses to go to the Mets for $20-30 mill more, then F him - he'll have shown himself to be A.) a another typical baseball money w****, B.) a liar for stating he wanted to be on a competitive team, and C.) nutless for letting another man make his life decisions for him.
Anyone else watching the Rocket game now? They keep hyping the postgame show by saying "you wont believe who has the upper hand in the beltran negotiations" and " wait until you hear what boras said to drayton"...anyone know what the hell they are talking about?
I assume they're reffering to the Chronicle article where Boras told him "You guys are very much still in it." If its anything more, I suggest they cut away from this game, and start airing the segment now.
Can you imagine how drayton feels every time the phone rings? His heart has to skip a beat. I bet he's told his wife don't call me I'll call you.
You don't think the billionaire can afford caller ID? Seriously, I bet he gave Boras a number to the batphone (the red one under the glass case) if he was going to call with a "decision".
FoxSportsSW is reporting the Mets are offering 6 years $105 million...not as much as I've been hearing. They also said Drayton asked Boras for the right of first refusal (I think that's what you call it) and Boras turned him down. If it's the difference between $105 and $96...I like our bid!
Right of first refusal??? Explain further. Did Drayton want Boras to give him a chance to match, and he refused??? I'm even more confused... I felt bad when I first started reading your post, but good at the end.
Exactly. I think he wanted to get the highest bid amount and have the opportunity to counter or match it. There seems to be a lot of misinformation and rumor-oriented info coming out of NY. I think the more crap that starts floating around, the better for Houston. To me, it's a sign of Boras trying to get Houston to up their bid so he can ultimately get more money (of course that's my homer opinion thinking that Houston is in the driver's seat for Beltran and Boras knows it). I'm going to be sweating out the next couple of days!
I think Boras wanted to sign a deal with whoever without having to go to Houston to ask for their last shot at the deal. He's playing hardball and is probably causing significantly more drama with this than there actually is.
