As reported by the New York Post this afternoon, left-handed 1st baseman Carlos Delgado worked out for the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium before the Sox kicked off their 4-game set with the Yankees. Delgado has been on the Sox radar since Kevin Youkilis went down with injury and could provide a left-handed bat to platoon with Mike Lowell at first base for the rest of 2010. Delgado is currently a member of the New York Mets, but played in just 26 games last season and 0 games this season due to a hip problem.
The Sox ironically could bring Delgado in to allow Lowell games off with his hip issue and match-up based on the pitcher of the day. For his career, Delgado has 473 home runs and when healthy, can crush the ball with the best of them. the Sox would be an ideal location for Delgado, because he could ease back into the flow of the game by playing a few times and week and would have less stress on his hip. There are rumors swirling that Theo may try and bring Delgado in before the end of the Yankees series if he was happy with the workout.
If Theo believes this team can get hot down the stretch and still contend, adding a few pieces could go a long way. Theo has always believed that the late inning reliever situation can be fixed in house potentially with the conversion of Michael Bowden and Felix Doubront to the bullpen, but the Sox don’t have a veteran power hitter they can turn to in order to fill in for the power Youkilis brought to the table. As much as I love Mike Lowell, he would be even more valuable and effective with a platoon player to balance the position out.
As I have said a million times, if the Sox can take a few games from the Yankees this weekend, I would almost guarantee an active Theo Epstein next week on the waiver trade market. He has never been afraid to add when needed and as long as this team is just in contention, he will do everything possible to bring in pieces to help this team win. If they lose the series to New York, then 2011 will be the focus for the remainder of the season.