Mets Ready to Announce Beltran Deal

Carlos Beltran passed his physical without incident and the New York Mets scheduled a news conference for today to announce his $119-million, seven-year contract.

While the Mets worked to finalize Beltran’s contract, General Manager Omar Minaya spoke with Carlos Delgado’s agent, David Sloane, about possibly meeting with the first baseman this week in Puerto Rico.

“We’re still working on it,” Sloane said.

It’s possible the Mets also may revive talks to acquire Sammy Sosa from the Chicago Cubs.

At the Mets’ minicamp in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Manager Willie Randolph was excited about the prospect of having Beltran in his lineup.

“Just to think about having someone of that caliber on your ballclub is awesome,” Randolph said.

New York’s contract calls for Beltran to receive an $11-million signing bonus. Today is the last day before a change in federal rules makes signing bonuses subject to increased taxes.

In other news, the Mets finalized a $900,000, one-year contract with infielder Miguel Cairo and agreed to a $2.1-million, one-year deal with pitcher Victor Zambrano, their last remaining player eligible for salary arbitration.

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Free-agent outfielder Juan Gonzalez, whose production has plummeted in recent years because of injuries, is close to signing a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.

If the two-time American League most valuable player makes the Indians’ 25-man roster in spring training, he would get $600,000 and would have a chance to earn another $1.65 million in bonuses based on plate appearances and $300,000 based on time on the active roster.

Gonzalez hasn’t played a full season since 2001. He has hit 439 career homers for Texas, Detroit, Cleveland and Kansas City.

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Right-hander Todd Ritchie returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates, agreeing to a minor league contract that will be worth $350,000 if he pitches in the majors this season.... The Arizona Diamondbacks traded left-hander Stephen Randolph to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named.... Left-handed reliever Matt Perisho agreed to a one-year, $475,000 contract to stay with the Florida Marlins.... Free-agent right-hander Billy Koch agreed to a $900,000 one-year contract to return to the Toronto Blue Jays.... The Chicago White Sox acquired minor league first baseman Travis Hinton from the Milwaukee Brewers, completing the four-player trade that sent Carlos Lee to the Brewers.

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Cash on Delivery

Baseball contracts worth $100 million or more:

*--* Player, Team Years Total * Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 2001-10 $252 million * Derek Jeter, Yankees 2001-10 $189 million * Manny Ramirez, Red Sox 2001-08 $160 million * Todd Helton, Rockies 2003-11 $141.5 million * Mike Hampton, Braves 2001-08 $121 million * Jason Giambi, Yankees 2002-08 $120 million * Carlos Beltran, Mets 2005-11 $119 million * Ken Griffey Jr., Reds 2000-08 $116.5 million * Kevin Brown, Yankees 1999-05 $105 million * Albert Pujols, Cardinals 2004-10 $100 million

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