4:44pm: The Marlins are not pursuing Guerrero, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. Miami is content with right-handed bench bats such as Aaron Rowand and Austin Kearns and Guerrero is not a fit in that role.
3:09pm: The Marlins are interested in shoring up their bench by signing Vladimir Guerrero, the veteran told Julio E. Castro C. at the Dominican paper El Caribe (link in Spanish). However, neither Guerrero nor manager Ozzie Guillen is entirely comfortable with what a move back to the National League would signify for the 37-year-old's career.
"The Marlins have shown interest in me, but to be on the bench or to pinch hit for the pitcher. Ozzie Guillen didn't like this, since he said I'm not that class of player," Guerrero told Castro. Guerrero shares this hesitancy, adding, "I don't consider myself a bench player, in spite of my age."
Despite Guillen's reservations, the match makes sense on paper. The Marlins' first options off the bench are currently lefties Chris Coghlan and Greg Dobbs, and Vlad and former Marlin Derrek Lee are the strongest remaining right-handed batters. Guerrero also said he considers himself a friend of Guillen, whom he met when the Venezuelan was the Expos' third base coach in 2001. "In addition to that, I know the Marlins' owner [Jeffrey Loria] very well, and I consider him a great person," Guerrero added.
Earlier this winter, Guerrero was reportedly open with the Yankees about his desire to fill their DH vacancy. In lieu of other offers, he indicated to Castro he was willing to return to the junior circuit after eight seasons away. "For the moment, I'll continue waiting for [the Marlins'] call," Guerrero said.
Vlad is just a good person. I’m going to be sad when he retires even if he’s not a fraction of the player he once was.
That is cute.
It’s a gig – take it
I can see him on the Marlins, would be a nice addition to put those nut cases on that team in their places.
close to the Dominican too
Neither (Lee/Vlad) as can see both taking AB’s away from Coghlan who they need to get back on track and as for just PH duty? The Dobber isn’t too bad in that area.
Why spend a couple million for either Lee/Vlad when both will want to attempt playing in the field once per week and take time away from Bonifacio, Coghlan the team needs.. PH Dobber can handle..
Coghlan needs to be starting in CF or in the minors. No need for him coming off of the bench.
Have a feeling that whatever position Coghlan would be playing? is the same one they finally find as “permanent” for Bonifacio also.
Was..or have been thinking at least over the winter that maybe they can swing Coghlan into that super sub role, where he picks up 400+ AB, just at every position. it’s not a demotion to AAA and the Fish still get to see what he can do.
I don’t think the guy is another Joe Charbeneau or anything here. he looked to good back in ’09.
The National League is the Senior Circuit, Vlad’s been in the junior circuit for years.
I think a lot of teams would take his bat of the bench for a million.
If they are considering a defense lacking OFer like Vlad, I could see the halos calling about Bobby Abreu. Even though he is a lefty, he is supposedly good friends with Ozzie and could have a similar role to what Vlads would be.
Vlad could be tried out as a 1B man. Methinks as a DH/backup 1B man he’d be a good fit in Minnesota or Cleveland (I’ve read about those teams as ideas) or the Rangers, Detroit, who knows, Seattle even. An NL team may try and put him at 1B and with him with a weaker hitter now and then.
You do not want Vlad in the field.
I was gonna say, don’t the Marlins already have enough veterans signed to assume a bench role? They don’t need to add yet another veteran player to compete for a bench spot.
Somebody please sign Vlad.. Before he finally does stop playing I have to know its because he really cant play anymore. Never get sick of watching his AB’s…
I wouldn’t consider Rowand a bench bat, more a guy who can carry a bat from a bench to the plate.
How come the A’s signed Manny over Vlad. So dumb
blovy8 is right about any teams would love to have Vlad Guerrero or Johnny Damon like the Seattle Mariners after outfielder Franklyn Gutierrez is injured as he’ll be out till sometimes late next month or May. Either of the two can help the young ballclub learn to compete w/ Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers in the division down the road. GM Jack Z better sign either of them for 3 or 4 million bucks w/ a bonus of a million more to end the drought of not making into the playoffs as a Wild Card entry from the new format implemented.