3:46pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com tweets that the Rangers are in "serious talks" with Vlad about a deal that would be worth about $5MM plus incentives.
1:52pm: MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports that the Rangers have offered Guerrero a contract. However, Sullivan's sources indicate that it wasn't close to $7MM. Interestingly, Sullivan hears from executives who haven't heard Guerrero's name connected with any other team.
The Rangers have expressed interest in Jim Thome, according to Sullivan.
11:20am: Richard Durrett of ESPN.com hears that though the Rangers have been in regular contact with Vlad's representatives, the two sides haven't made progress towards a deal. Guerrero still wants a two-year contract.
10:50am: Yahoo's Tim Brown hears that the Rangers haven't made any official offers to DH candidates.
9:30am: Jon Heyman of SI.com tweets that the Rangers offered about $5MM.
FRIDAY, 9:10am: Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram hears from a team source that the Rangers did not offer Vlad $7MM.
THURSDAY, 4:01pm: A source tells ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that the Rangers aren't likely to commit more than $5MM to Vlad.
3:00pm: Sullivan hears that Vlad isn't particularly happy with the Rangers' offer, though he hasn't seen a better one from any other team.
1:47pm: The Rangers have offered Vladimir Guerrero a one-year deal worth $7MM, according to this tweet from Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes (Hat Tip: Jorge Arangure Jr.'s Twitter). We've heard about the Rangers' potential interest in Vlad for months now and T.R. Sullivan reported yesterday that the Rangers are very much interested in the 2004 AL MVP.
Vlad hit .295/.334/.460 last year for the Angels and made $15MM. He's in line for a pay-cut this offseason because of his fading power (32 extra base hits last year) and questionable defense (consistently weak, according to UZR/150). Vlad is one of the best hitters of his generation, but the surplus of DH-types probably means he won't see offers much better than this.
Steep price to pay for Vlad. I was thinking more along the lines for $3-4m.
Yeah, I agree.
Anything over 4-5MM for a DH is stupid, with the abundance of DHs still on the market and another DH suitor coming off the market.
Yeah, there are many DHs out there, but you can’t compare the type of hitter Vlad is to lets say J. Thome is right now. Not all DHs are the same. Is like saying all 2B are can hit the same or do the same with the bat. 7M is a good deal for both sides.
Vlad is in major decline. Right now he is a name only.
He posted a sub 800 OPS.
He can’t run. Check that, he is worse than just slow. Vlad sometimes thinks he is still 25. I’ve seen him run through more stop signs than anyone else. He just makes bad decisions on the basepaths.
He can’t field any more, is a major injury risk, and getting back to my original point, his hitting has been declining for 2 years now. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he posted a sub 800 OPS. That’s not a great return on your DH investment.
Vlad is a has been at the ripe old age of 34. $7m is a gross overpayment.
of course he isn’t hitting for power – steroids are now outlawed. he got away that ridiculous strike zone and stance because of the roids. roids don’t help the defense much though.
another young has been for dh duties at a better price would be jason giambi.
then again, roids in texas are like M&M’s in washington – just ask the express.
Jeez Mick has Vlad admited using to you because I’ve always thought he was a pure hitter that didn’t use.
I think his injury history is much like the man inducted into the HOF caused by years w/ the Expos on the hard turf. I can’t imagine the career Vlad would’ve had if he didn’t play for the Expos for most of it.
no.
vlad never admitted to me that he had used or was currently using roids. however, he never told me he wasn’t.
the same with barry bonds. he never admitted it to me, one way or the other and he has denied it to congress, yet……
the same with jason giambi. he never admitted it to me, one way or the other and he has not admitted it to congress, yet……
wow you know you’re actually stupid when your argument for vlad being on steroids is that he ‘hasn’t come out, like jason giambi’. you realize giambi came out, right? and you realize A has nothing to do with B, right? are you 6 years old?
pastlives: i written a bunch here and i don’t remember typing “‘hasn’t come out, like jason giambi’. ” please, underline it or copy it or something. did giambo come out to congress? if he did my bad for implying he hadn’t, however, if he didn’t you are a moron – incorrectly correcting someone is the definition of moron.And still more, moron, my argument is much more complex than “your argument for vlad being on steroids is that he ‘hasn’t come out, like jason giambi’. ” man, can you comprehend? should i be aware that i’m dealing with a mentally disabled person? should i type slower? please, let me know what is wrong with you, so, i don’t accidently discriminate.what is this in reference to “and you realize A has nothing to do with B, right?” ? i’m lost on this one too.are you 6 years old? no, i’m not, but thanks for thinking i was younger than i am.hey, go back to the past and don’t bug me.
Your comment is embarrasing, how can you comment like that with abosolutely nothing to back that up. This guy has been putting HOF numbers for most of his career, not that you should pay for that but this was just the first time in his entire career that his average is below .300 and it was 295. Obviously he is in his decline since he is not 26 anymore and is in his mid 30s, but he is probably still capable of putting up respectable numbers. 7 MM might not be the best deal but is not that bad of a deal when players like Matsui and Cameron are making 6 MM and 7 MM per year….
moronillo24 – how do you know i don’t have anything to back it up with? for big guys, their numbers don’t generally decline until approximately 30 and at a more gradual rate, unless there are steroids in the equation.
and what are you embarrassed about? – are you typing naked on the mens room floor again?
Your comment doesnt make any sense, he hit 15 Homers in only 100 games. He might not have the same power as 5 seasons ago, but just dont talk as he had jason varitek numbers last season. There is no way Vlad should have the same value as Pedro Feliz who is going to steal 4.5 M from the Astros this season.
moronillo24: he hasn’t earned his money in 5 years. forget about tek or felicia, this isn’t arbitratration. texas can spend what the market dictates or they could elect to not spend. no sense in spending $7m – a salary for a good player in this market – for a “has been” non-fielding, non-power hitting, non-running, non-strike zone discipline and ugly dh – to be fair, he does have nice shoes.
what doesn’t make sense? maybe you don’t have the sense to make sense.
You are attacking Vlad like his #s declined so much that he is not really good. Yes he is an injury risk, if he is on the field, which he won’t. And to say he got away with his stance bcus of steroids is just stupid and shows you don’t know what you are ‘alking about. Vlad has been good almost every year of his career and he would still hit 4th in most teams’ line-up
Your comment is embarrasing, how can you comment like that with abosolutely nothing to back that up. This guy has been putting HOF numbers for most of his career, not that you should pay for that but this was just the first time in his entire career that his average is below .300 and it was 295. Obviously he is in his decline since he is not 26 anymore and is in his mid 30s, but he is probably still capable of putting up respectable numbers. 7 MM might not be the best deal but is not that bad of a deal when players like Matsui and Cameron are making 6 MM and 7 MM per year….
When 37 year old Mike Cameron is making 7MM+ per, Vlad making 7 doesn’t sound too steep at all. Even for a DH.
Cameron might be old but he still plays a premium position well and hits for power/gets on base.
When cameron is giving you + defense and had a nearly identical slash line… then 7 is way too steep
I can only see Cameron regressing from here. Strikes out way too much and I think he’ll struggle initially in Fenway’s centerfield.
If you look beyond the age you will see that Cameron provides significantly more value than Vlad does. Cameron’s defense is simply outstanding.
The reality is that the Red Sox probably overpaid, so maybe either one should be making 7MM a year…
The reality is that the Red Sox probably overpaid, so maybe either one should be making 7MM a year…
talk about overpaying for a name. I agree about $4M there are plenty of guys like Thome and Dye around still too no need to overpay especially for a guy who is DONE in the field
he looks cooked. Pass
wow! thats a lot of dough for vlad these days. i was thinking 3-4mm as well. he should no doubt except that and be ok. not worth 7mm though.
besides the price i think that is a good fit for both sides.
That’s a whole lotta green for Vlad, he’s a great fit for them, but at that price? yikes!
Don’t forget that Vlady has crushed Texas over the years, crushed. I don’t have the #s at my fingertips but I think he has hit more HRs at their stadium than anyone else.
He threw up crazy numbers against them.
I believe that he has a near .400 BA at th ballpark in arlington
baseball-reference.com/play-index/split_stats.cgi?…|ARL02|guerrvl01|bat|AB|
It’s one year, Vlad only played 100 games last year due to injury. A healthy Vlad is more than worth that contract.
He hasn’t been healthy in years. It’s not like his chronic knee or back problems will improve. I’ve been watching to guy as much as possible since he came over to the Angels. He was simply so much better than everyone else because of his athletic ability. Once you take away that ability (which age and injuries have) and you are left with a great guy that offers very little for his future team.
Well, the Rangers are one of the teams where you really can scrutinize how they spend their money because this would probably be all they have left. But in general- god you guys certainly care a lot about a couple million dollars difference. Vlad has among the highest ceilings for the remaining DH candidates. Is paying a couple million less (maybe) for Dye really that much better? Barely anything else is out there. They want a righty.
Being the majority owner of the Texas Rangers, I believe this is an excellent move for our organization. Vladimir will be a solid clean up hitter for our 2010 team.
whatever you say, poser.
I believe this is an excellent move for our franchise. Vladimir is a great addition at an affordable price. He will be the anchor of our lineup for the 2010 season. The Texas Rangers WILL be a very exciting team to watch. We might not have had the best offseason in 2010 (Mariners) but we have definately improved.
i agree with you. and if hamilton can stay healthy…and sober. the dude is good. i think they can maybe contend next year. they are going to exciting to watch though.
Matsui > Vlad but for a team like the rangers who have been desperately scratching and clawing their way to respectability I’m ok with the move. Overpaying? Probably BUT it’s only for a year so it’s not a major future investment.
I don’t believe he is going to get offers flooding in that are gonna match or better this one.
Which would you rather have?
Vlad + 4 MM or Gary Matthews Jr??
touche greenburg!
As the great slingblade once said, “I’d rather fellate myself with a curling iron,” than have GMJ. How is GMJ even relevant here?
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say his crazy offense in Texas has had as much to do with Texas’ atrocious pitching in the past years as it does with the park.
EXACTLY!
I doubt the Rangers are thinking in those terms and are that stupid. A). They only have so much money to spend. B) would you be in such a hurry to walk Josh if Vlad is the next batter? C) it’s only one freaking year and if it is a bust, it wouldn’t be a costly one.
I wouldn’t mind this, and really, it makes sense, if not for the price. They’re paying him as if they’re expecting 25 homeruns with a .280 or so average.
If I’m his agent I have Vlad sign on the dotted line ASAP!
I would be willing to bet that this is a lower base salary w/ AB/playing time incentives and by the way I love this signing, huge bounce back yr for Vlady. he started real slow last yr but picked it up in the second half.
This would be sad if he rejects it and asks 2 yrs 21 mill.
7M for 1 year of Vlad’s huge bat in Texas is a bargain. That ballpark is tailor made for a free swinging power bat.
As an avid ranger fan its worth the extra couple mm to keep him out of the visitors locker room at the Ballpark in Arlington. He can still mash when healthy.
I think this is the highest offer Vlad will get. He should just take it now. Also, I think $7 million isn’t too steep a price for Vlad.
Thats crazy considering Dye was much better and his power is still there
Dye had a second half that made Yuniesky betancourt look liek a slugger
Yeah I’d rather have Dye too. I don’t think Vlad will find a much better offer out there, so it looks like he’ll end up in Texas
Thats actually nice offer for both sides. Hard to imagine Vlad would get anything higher than that
Good luck Vlad finding a better deal
Yeahm if you consider what Matsui signed for then $7 mil is a fair offer to Vlad. Maybe his pride is getting the best of him and maybe he feels with his offseason conditioning that he can still be an everday RF. If healthy and DHing full-time, Vlad can still put up a good .285/.360 25-30 hr line though. I can’t see anyone offering him more than $7 mil however. Maybe $7 mil w/ incentives and a option that vests with 500 PA for another $7 mil? He’s not exaclty old and he did put up good numbers last year. Just a matter of can he stay healthy?
A part of me still wishes the Halos would have re-signed Vlad instead of Matsui but I can understand why they did it. It’s going to be weird seeing Vlad in a Rangers uniform hitting against us.
Ben: It turns out this offer is only for 5MM as per espn insider. Rangers say they have their payroll limit and they are sticking to it. 7MM would be pushing the limit. *Correction: That limit is just for the DH role. Though the outcome of offering 7MM would likely be as follows* If they have offered 7MM, they will not go higher and I’d guess they would try to make a trade to shed some payroll.This also takes them out of the teams that would have any interest in Mike Lowell. Bad news for Theo if this deal goes through. Great news for Theo if it doesn’t.
Mike Lowell has negative value. I’m shocked the Rangers were willing to offer ANYTHING at all for him. Looks like he is destined to play for Brian Sabean
Why would you land him on Giants? I don’t get it…
Also, Mike still hit 19 homers last season and his range will be better this season after a years removal from hip surgery. If he shows he’s healthy in spring training he’s still exactly the same as 2-4 years ago which gives him great trade value. Check the stats
He was right on par with his career lines… I’m shocked more teams are not interested. Hell, I’d keep him for a DH platoon with Ortiz and a backup 3B if not for the 12MM salary. He could wind up having a better offensive season than beltre if given the opportunity to start. In Texas too? He would have a line of something like .290/.360/.450+… That’s INCREDIBLE for the 3MM they’d pay
in case you forgot….HE’S INJURED. Same reason Delgado isnt going to get a big contract. Red Sox will get NOTHING for him. Its tough to say his defense is going to be adequate for a NL team to put on the Hot Corner anymore, there is a reason by BOS is paying 10 mil for Beltre…that reason is Lowell can no longer play
Lowell will be fine by opening day of the season… His hip is fully healed now and his range is expected to be better. He hit well still last season. Its just his range at the hot corner that the Sox don’t want to risk because of the strategy they chose to go with this year, which is run prevention. Any offensive minded team (such as Texas) will still have a lot of interest in Mike if he proves his health.
Do some research on the topic. He still hit right on par with his career had he played a full season.
Again, he had surgery on his Hand. He is not healthy. “His range is expected to be better”…i’m old…i know your age doesn’t improve when you age. As far as just a hitter. He had solid numbers but has not been a GREAT hitter for awhile. If i had a chance to get Thome, Vlad or even Dye for that matter at the same price….I’m doing that instead.
Now you are just speaking silly talk. Lowell is 35… YOUNGER THAN JETER! Lol. He’s a very strong hitter still who would be a huge asset in arlington. The thumb surgery is not going to effect his swing, or his range. He’s expected to be 100% by April… What are you smoking? Vlad can’t swing the bat anymore. He will get a 1 year 8mil max deal. He can’t play the field either…
Thome is 41 I believe… Nuff said…
And dye… Is dye… He could hit .250 or .300, but there’s no guarantee. Lowell guarantees around a .280+ average, 18-22 homers and 90 rbis when his home park is good for his swing. There’s not even a comparison…
Again, GM’s now why Bos is giving him away. He’s Done
Because there’s no spot for him if it turns out he can’t play the field. We have a DH in ortiz and 5 corner infielders (including lowell)… Texas needs a DH and backup corner infielder. Perfect fit
And lowrie can back up beltre at 3rd if healthy. I’m sorry, but lowell will have great value if he goes to a hitters park. If he went to the NL, I agree, not good. But the Angels, Rangers, and others could easily suit him very well
angels have Matsui so why would the rangers give up ANYTHING at all if the Sox don’t even have a roster spot for him
Because if they give up something, they don’t have to adjust their payroll. They have 5MM max to spend on a DH.
then pick him up once the Sox relesae him
The sox are not going to release him for nothing. You don’t DFA a 300 hitter… Especially one who is 1 year removed from an all star caliber season
just wait
and tell that to Frank Thomas
Thome is 39 and can’t play the field. Was wrong on his age, but still as u said, aging doesn’t make you better.
These players still have the mindset that it’s 3-4 years ago and multi-million dollar contracts are being handed out like candy…
Guess what guys, the economy is in a slump! Deal with it!!!
Vlad unhappy with 7 mill?
LaRoche turning down 2 yr 17 mill?
Have fun watching this season guys!!!
Vlad I semi-understand as he expects kind of a “I used to be good” respect.
However LaRoche has to be hittin a pipe to turn down that deal… Who does this guy think he is? Damon will be lucky to get that money, and Damon is CONSIDERABLY better than LaRoche. He will be one sad kid on opening day. I’d be shocked to see anyone offer him more than 1 year 5 mil.
In my opinion, Dye=Thome=Vlad=Delgado=Branyan=DH. So they can’t be too picky.
In my opinion your opinion is wrong. Vlad = Delgado? Delgado is coming from hip injury. From all of those player none provide a bigger treat and fear than Vlad. I do think he is not worth more than 7M.
just cuz they are all DHs it doesn’t mean they hit the same way, its like saying all 3B hit the same.
If you compare 3B then you have to include their defensive capabilities. DH’s don’t play defense, they just hit and all of those guys will probably give you .270/.350 30hr 90rbi. None can field anymore and none of them can run. Sure the probability of Vlad performing is higher than Delgado but not that much.
Then he can join the Johnny Damon bandwagon, of all these aging DH type players that can’t even effectively play the field thinking they deserve big pay days.Always looking for the last big contract, until reality hits them come pitchers and catchers. I guess not too many of them learnt from Abreu last season.
I think for the Rangers sake, they take a page from the Angels negotiation with Hunter and tell Vlad that unless he accepts the deal in 48 hours, it self-destructs and they go after Dye.
vladdy had a .498 slugging after the all-star break…
he can still hit
or at least inject himself with roids
For 5-7M, hang on another couple of weeks and can probably sign Damon. Can’t see why anybody would want to give that much to Vlad at this point in his career and Vlad having such a hard time realizing that he is such a risk.Rangers would have been better off taking Lowell and just paying him the 3M, he can play 3B some, plays through severe injuries on the field defensively, will give them leadership and a good bat as a DH and backup 3B.
Vlad is done. I wouldn’t pay him 7 million. The thing I’m most suspicious about is his age. We all know foreign born players often fudge their date of birth. Vlad looks like a man in his late 30’s or early 40’s.
rangers r overpaying him….by a TON!!!
rangers r overpaying him….by a TON!!!
There are only a few teams that still need a DH, so Vlad better get on the Bus before his options run out and he signs for a deal 1/2 of that. Someone’s going to get a bargain if they wait on Thome, Dye, Delgado etc.
There are only a few teams that still need a DH, so Vlad better get on the Bus before his options run out and he signs for a deal 1/2 of that. Someone’s going to get a bargain if they wait on Thome, Dye, Delgado etc.
Of all the possible DH’s w/ the exception of Johnny Damon, I think Vlad is the best option. I think his balky knees won’t bother him as much as a DH and he is still a feared power hitter. If there was one legitimate concern for me it would NOT ne his ability to hit for power but moreso his decreasing ability to lay off of bad pitches. Vlad has always been a great “bad pitch hitter” but last year his BB/KO rate was 1:3 and for his career prior to 09 was 1:1.2. That’s a major difference. Just like power pitchers must learn to become more finess pitchers with age, so must some power hitters. If Vlad can be a little more disciplined and swing at more pitches in the zone then he can maintain a higher OBP and his power is still good enough for 25 to 30 hrs.
Vlad has seen a ton of time at DH over the past few years. Still hasn’t helped with his injury problems.
09 – 93 of 97 games at DH
In 07 and 08 he averaged 43 games at DH.
Being a full-time DH should help – I just don’t think you can count on him being healthy even if he is a full-time DH.
Of all the possible DH’s w/ the exception of Johnny Damon, I think Vlad is the best option. I think his balky knees won’t bother him as much as a DH and he is still a feared power hitter. If there was one legitimate concern for me it would NOT ne his ability to hit for power but moreso his decreasing ability to lay off of bad pitches. Vlad has always been a great “bad pitch hitter” but last year his BB/KO rate was 1:3 and for his career prior to 09 was 1:1.2. That’s a major difference. Just like power pitchers must learn to become more finess pitchers with age, so must some power hitters. If Vlad can be a little more disciplined and swing at more pitches in the zone then he can maintain a higher OBP and his power is still good enough for 25 to 30 hrs.
Rangers could get Dye much Cheaper but could be a gamble though playing 81 home games in texas could help Dye be much more productive than paying Vlad 7M
$5 million sounds more believeable. But can’t blame Vlad when Matsui got close to $7 million
I remember when he came up with the expos, the power he had to right field for a right handed hitter was unbelivable. His bad wheels like Andre Dawsons bad legs were probably from playing on astro turf. Vlad also had a rocket for an arm.Truly a pleasure to watch. I hope he plays for a team he can help contribute to there offense.
And even like that he almost had a 40-40 one year.
I wish he would have plyed on all grass, his brother was an infilder who also played in the majors. His name is Wilton Guerrero. He came up with the dodgers.
Dear Vlad,
You have no knees and cant hit anymore. If any team is stupid enough to give you more than $3MM gauranteed money, you should take it and invest it as wisely as you can, as you will be on the 60 day DL by June at the latest. This is the final year of your great career, so take what you can get.
Sincerely,
Anyone who watched you play last year.
Maybe the A’s should sign him, he would of been there best hitter last year.
If he is hittin the pipe then he would have taken that due to paranoia that a better offer would never come.
Reported that Rangers and Vlad are final pending physical. Via email from Jamey Newberg.
According to former big league GM Jim Bowden, who I believe now works for XM Radio’s MLB channel, via Twitter in the last half-hour: “Source close to Vladimir Guerrero says Vlad and Texas Rangers finalizing one-year contract pending physical”
Vlad vs Matsui 2010:
More HR __
More RBI __
More days on DL __
Vlad vs Matsui 2010:
More HR _Matsui_
More RBI _Matsui_
More days on DL _Vlad_
And I’m not just feeding off his 6 RBI game, I don’t recall Vlad doing anything other than striking out or grounding out in ’09.