The forgotten All-Star Miami Marlins first baseman

There was a time in Miami Marlins (then Florida Marlins history), when the team couldn't be accused of not trying to compete. This was back when The Fish won the 2003 World Series. After missing the playoffs in 2004, The Fish went all-in for 2005. One of the moves made, was acquiring 1B Carlos Delgado, who previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Carlos Delgado is a forgotten Miami Marlins first baseman.

It's easy to forget Carlos Delgado and his one-year contribution to the then Florida Marlins. After all, he only spent one season with the team. The Fish didn't make the playoffs and he was traded after the season. It still might surprise some just how good he actually was at that time. At a time, when the Marlins aren't known for hitting, it's fun to reminisce about the time when it was the opposite case.

Delgado was an All-Star first baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays. He played for the team from 1993 to 2004, batting .282/.393/.556. During that time, he was actually an AL MVP candidate and received two All-Star Game selections. From 1998 to 2004 he never hit less than 32 home runs in a season. He hit 44 in 1999, which was his highest home run total. He even drove in over 130 RBI in three seasons during that time!

Carlos Delgado hit free agency after the 2004 season, and the Florida Marlins signed him for 4 years/$52 million. The Fish actually beat out the New York Mets for his signature on the contract. Can you imagine the Marlins beating out the Mets for a free agent now? It seems almost unbelievable, yet it actually did happen once. After the season, as The Fish gave up on contending and traded him to the Mets.

So how did Delgado do for the Florida Marlins in 2005? The 33 year old batted .301/.399/.582, with 33 home runs and 115 RBI in 144 games and 521 AB. He had a terrible -2.9 dWAR however. Overall, he was worth 2.8 WAR. While his defense was atrocious, offensively it was an elite season. He was never really as good after the trade, topping at 2.7 WAR with the Mets in 2006, then not topping the 1.3 mark.