Mets near deal to bring back Tatis, not Delgado

Free agent Fernando Tatis is close to a deal with the New York Mets, which would likely close the door on Carlos Delgado returning to the team.

Delgado's inability to play first base in Puerto Rican winter ball hurt him. At this point, he is viewed as a designated hitter by many in baseball.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya has long liked Tatis, who hit .282 with eight home runs in 125 games for the Mets in 2009. Delgado, meanwhile, played just 26 games before being shelved for the season in mid-May with a hip injury that required surgery.