The Blue Jays released Vladimir Guerrero yesterday morning at the slugger's request. Here's a bit of news on the 37-year-old and more from around the American League East..
- The Tigers' interest in Guerrero is lukewarm, a source told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). It's not clear if Detroit will pursue him at this point. Bean Stringfellow, the veteran's agent, says his client is not retiring and plans to continue playing.
- Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine says that it's only human for Kevin Youkilis to be upset by trade rumors, writes Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. Earlier today, the third baseman confessed that this season hasn't been terribly fun for him.
- Yankees Triple-A catcher Francisco Cervelli could help several teams in the majors but continues to serve as the club's insurance policy, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The catcher told Heyman that he has no hard feelings against the Yankees.
- Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (via Twitter) sees supplementary first round selection Matt Smoral signing with the club for over-slot, but not for twice as much as the $1MM recommendation.
It hasn’t been a lot of fun to watch Kevin Youkilis this season, and we’re not being paid 12 million for the pleasure.
It’s not like Guerrero is going to saddle any team with a huge debt. I’ve been reading posts about various teams and how poorly they hit or how bad their DH spot is being filled (Detroit, Cleveland, Tampa,….). Some teams need a RH hitter. Some teams could do well with a platoon (Cleveland). Even an NL team or two may be interested. A couple of teams are an injury away from falling out of the race, and (especially in the AL) things are so wide open that a chance to sneak in like this may not come again. And the man showed he can still play OF, though not full-time. Sad to see so many teams sign guys who can’t hit, never have, and turn around and see good, cheap hitters available.
Maybe he’ll be signed in June, maybe not until July. Who knows what GM’s/Presidents are seeing and thinking?
Plus, who knows who his agents talked to that pushed him to opt out with the Jays? It’s not like they’ll say anything bad about the Jays with Bautista also a Jay. So if Guerrero was treated poorly we won’t know from them. And what teams contacted his agent lately is also an unknown, who told them they were interested and so on.
Cervelli should just thank his lucky stars he has a job.
Gee, sorry Youk. Besides the $12M, what can we do to make you happier while you’re busy destroying your trade value?
nothing at all, man. he totally deserves your scorn for 25 bad games. it’s not like this is first time in his entire big league career he’s been a below average player. and it’s not like the guy is known for giving it his all or jeopardizing his career for the sake of the team by playing through injuries
25 bad games? that’s the last straw
As much as I’d love to see Dempster and/or Garza in Jays uni… I’d hate to see the price tags.