NEW YORK, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The New York Mets have picked up the 2009 signing option of first baseman Carlos Delgado. It was worth $12 million.
"We wanted to let him know as quickly as allowed that we wanted him back," General Manager Omar Minaya told New York Newsday. The move followed the veteran slugger's torrid second half this season.
In the final 85 games, the 36-year-old Delgado batted .308 with 27 home runs and 80 RBI.
Despite heating up, the Mets missed the postseason for the second straight year.
Delgado finished the 2008 season with a team-high 38 homers, 115 RBI, and a .271 batting average.
In 16 major league seasons, the native of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, has compiled 469 homers, 1,489 RBI, and a .280 average in 2,009 games with Toronto, Florida and the Mets.
Delgado has hit 35-or-more homers seven times, and has driven in 100 runs in nine seasons.
