The Rangers are out on Vladimir Guerrero, according to Anthony Andro of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). Texas' need for the soon-to-be 36-year-old decreased significantly when they signed Adrian Beltre, sliding Michael Young into a DH/utility role.
The market for Guerrero has taken quite a hit in the last 48 hours as the Angels are reportedly no longer courting him. Signing the veteran would force the Angels to use Juan Rivera or Bobby Abreu in left field, something the club isn't terrifically eager to do. His return would also mean less plate apperances for Mike Napoli who hit .238/.316/.468 with 26 homers across 140 games last season.
Too bad the Rangers can’t find a place for Vlad too. I love his bat and what he brings to the team. If this is goodbye, we’ll miss you in Arlington, Vlad.
This is a perfect time for the A’s to swoop down on him
exactly my thoughts. platoon with barton/matsui
The Rays should take him! They need to find some way to replace the production of both Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford.
I was thinking the same thing. Anyone have a rough idea on what his original asking price was going into this offseason? If it’s anywhere close to what the Rays are able to pay, he may drop his demands low enough that they can make a move. That could be a potentially huge move with the Yankees still lacking a single notable move this offseason and possibly losing Pettitte.
I was thinking he would sign for $4-5 million/yr for 2 years. The Rays should get him (they’ve already slashed enough payroll already).
Tampa Bay Rays + Vlad? Yes??
Twins should be on the phone right now with Vlad’s agent. Forget Thome, bring in a right-handed bat, Bill Smith.
Exactly. Even though Thome was a huge fan favorite and I’d love to see him back, I’d rather see Vlad because the Twins don’t need two lefty DHs. (Kubel)
I really think the Orioles should try to get Vlad. They could get him for about 6.5 million and 1 year. He could play DH and then put Scott in LF. Trade Reimold and Tillman for Garza. Then sign Ohman and the team would be set.
Reimold, a 27-year-old outfielder coming off an Achilles injury and a career worst year, and Tillman, a 23-year-old with a straight fastball and no command, for Garza, a 27-year-old who has averaged 197 innings and a 3.86 ERA over the past three years.
Riiiiight…
People need to stop drinking the water in Baltimore.
I really think the Orioles should try to get Vlad. They could get him for about 6.5 million and 1 year. He could play DH and then put Scott in LF. Trade Reimold and Tillman for Garza. Then sign Ohman and the team would be set.
Yankees will give him a 1 year deal for 3m with incentives.
pretty crazy a guy who just came off a 29 hr 115 rbi season may have to settle for that…
I sure hope so though, the Yanks could use him as DH alternating with Posada, and LF against some lefty pitchers shifting Gardner to center and giving Grandy the occasional day off.
He’d probably prefer the every day role though after his performance last season
Even I as a Red Sox fan would hate to see Vladdy in left field for the Yankees. He should not see the field at all no matter where he lands. And I LOVE Vladdy and dislike the Yankees!
The only outfield vlad should ever play is left for the bosox(thanks crawford, i mean if manny can do it anyone can), right for the yankees(left is huge right is smaller obvious move) left for the astros(see fenway) and thats about it
He would be a fool to accept that.
Jays still need a bat, and they could do worse than Vlad for a year or two
i bet he would not mind going back to canada granted its not the expos but close enough
Dodgers need a left fielder
If Tampa and the Rays were not so CHEAP that they didn’t squeak when they walk… Vlad would be the perfect player and compliment for Longoria and some protection as well, then who said this team ever spent any money when it was smart?
Manny, Thome and Vladdy are close to being Jermaine Dyed!
not really, from what we have heard(or not heard) manny, thome, vlad are not turning down offers like JD did. they simply are not getting offers, they will be the guys signed last minutes before spring training or many even after spring training after possible injuries happen. Where as JD turned down every offer he got because he thought he was better than a few mill
Vlad was “reportedly” offered one year deals early in the offseason by the Rangers but wanted a multi-year deal. Woops
That’s the Star-Telegram newspaper in Fort Worth, not Dallas.
Thanks for the year Vlad
Thanks for the year Vlad
He should just go back to the Angels.
This post states that the Angels are worried about putting Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera back in LF.
Well, why would Rivera even be considered a starting option over Vlad? If Vlad were to slow down, they could platoon the DH role between the 2, and even mix Abreu and Hunter in there. Isn’t that what Mike Scioscia prefers?
They should sign both Vladdy and Johnny Damon to have enough depth to counter the aging of all players in question in this comment. lol
Vlad should just go back to the Angels.
You don’t platoon two right-handed hitters who are both superior against left handed pitchers. It would make a lot more sense to just pencil in Vlad as the full-time DH and platoon Abreu and Rivera in the outfield.
because Juan Rivera is in a contract year and has better defense than Abreu and Vlad, even though his D isnt that great
as soon as i read the “Dallas Star-telegram” i thought this is a bogus report
If I was Vlad I’d be learning how to play 1B right about now.
All those years I marveled at Vlad absolutely destroying the Rangers. Then he joined them and single handedly lifted them to first place until Josh Hamilton started on his tear. Thru mid July, he delivered on a consistent basis, and for about a couple of months formed the best 3-4 combo. He hit the wall and started to hit for avg again in Sept, but mostly light hitting. He is way too aggressive on the bases, but you live with it. I can see him on the Rays or Twins contributing. I hope he doesn’t end up with the Angels, just don’t want to mess with him for that many games. Absolutely seen enough of him vs the Rangers.
Yes, even in the twilight of his career, Vlad The Impaler still mashes the baseball. I’m glad you mentioned the Twins. I see them as a dark horse. They have to like this report. In Thome and Vlad they have two very good DH options still available and it appears as though the market is deflating quickly for both.
Jeez, what a wild off-season. A lot of surprises.
this may be true but you cant look at vlad and compare him to Dye, dye turned down every deal after a down year..he turned down multimilion dollar deals vlad wanted a multiyear deal, every single off season players do the exact same thing
Ayy vlad, we welcome you with open arms here in oaktown! Your more than welcome to join our lineup. We need your right handed bat!
I sure would like the Dodgers to offer Vlad an incentive laden contract. Vlad will not be the defensive stud he once was in left field in 2011, but hey, he still is an upgrade defensively over Manny.
Vlad would need to be desperate for that to happen. Manny was/is just lazy in the OF. Vlad’s had injury probs with his left knee. It would be a risky move to have him chase down balls in the OF every day in the NL. I think he and a lot of GMs recognize that reality. And unlike Manny, Vlad was actually a very good defender earlier in is career. He still has good instincts and a decent arm. His body is just worn down too much to be in the OF every day.
So who picks up Vlad now? Tampa Bay or maybe Minny?
I’m wondering the same thing, rockies fan. Those two are at the top of my list. Also thought about TOR. Their DH situation looks like it could use an upgrade. Slot Vlad into that lineup at DH and it could be scary good.