Carlos Delgado new contract makes him the richest player in baseball

Latinos in the Major Leagues - The Breakdown 2000.

Carlos Delgado's new deal makes him the highest paid player in baseball.

October 20, 2000 -- Puerto Rican first baseman, Carlos Delgado of the Toronto Blue Jays shook baseball's salary structure Friday, agreeing to a record $68 million, four-year contract that makes him the sport's highest-paid player.

The deal, which averages $17 million per season, makes him the richest man in baseball by breaking the previous mark of $15.45 million set by Roger Clemens and the New York Yankees earlier this year and the Dodger ace, right-hander Kevin Brown at $15 million per year.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again," Delgado said at a news conference in Toronto. "It's good to be back. I firmly believe we have the talent here to win and I'm here to win. We worked out a great deal. I'm extremely happy. I'd like to play my whole career in Toronto."

Delgado, will receive a $4.8 million signing bonus and salaries of $10 million 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 blanket no-trade
clause in the deal.

Said Delgado: "Last year at this time we didn't have a good idea where we were going (as a team). They showed the commitment to build this ball club and make this a winning ball club."

Delgado's deal falls short of the record for total dollars, set in December 1998 when Kevin Brown and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a $105 million, seven-year contract.

Locking up Delgado was crucial to Toronto's bid to contend in the AL East next season. Delgado is the Blue Jays' clubhouse leader and their biggest offensive threat.

"On the field we have to ensure we have our team leader in place and that man is Carlos," Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey said. "Carlos is the pivotal player in the basis for our foundation.

"This is the first step in re-establishing the winning formula for the Blue Jays of the future."

Delgado's mark is not likely to last long. Seattle shortstop Alex Rodriguez is eligible for free agency following the World Series and is expected to get a record deal that could be worth $20 million or more.

Delgado, 28, hit .344 this season with 41 homers, 137 RBI and 123 walks, finishing fourth in the American League in batting, tied for fourth in home runs and tied for fourth in RBI.

He also led the AL with 57 doubles and 99 extra-base hits and is expected to get a lot of votes for the AL MVP award. Over the past three seasons, Delgado has averaged 41 homers and 129 RBI.

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