Vladimir Guerrero intends to play this season, agent Fern Cuza confirmed to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). If the 37-year-old doesn't have a job by the time Spring Training ends, he'll explore opportunities in Japan.
Guerrero had interest in joining the Yankees this offseason and he appeared to draw some interest from the Marlins. However, it's been a quiet offseason for Guerrero other than that.
Guerrero has 2,590 hits, 449 homers and a .318/.379/.553 line 16 seasons into a career that will probably deliver him to Cooperstown soon after he retires. In 590 plate appearances with the Orioles last year, the nine-time All-Star posted a .290/.317/.416 line with 13 homers.
Unfortunate that he may be forced to play in Japan. Surprising considering his career stats and the fact that he still has a year or two left. Personally think he’d be a perfect fit for the Jays. Risky in a sense, but a much better option than Encarnacion at DH. The argument is that Encarnacion was promised at bats by AA and that he has the “ability” to play 1b and 3b, but he can’t hit, period, when he plays the field. So, he’s just a DH who may put up 25hrs and 80 RBI’s in a good season, something that Guerrero could do in his sleep hitting 5th in the Jays rotation.
You realize that the days of Guerrero putting up 25 home runs are done right? I’d be surprised (if he found a job this year) if he hit a total of 25 home runs adding both the 2011 and 2012 seasons together.
Hits 29 dingers the year before last. He’s a stud, 25 hrs in the Skydome is definitely possible for Vlad the Impaler.
He hit a lot of HRs in what is pretty much the AL version of Coors aka Texas. And I think he did the majority of that damage in the 1st 2 months that season.
Home: 16 HR (336 PA)
Road: 13 HR (307 PA)
He hit home runs wherever, but his OPS did drop about 100 points going from home to the road (.881 to .796).You are right about him falling off in the second half of the season, though.
1st Half: 20 HR (354 PA)
2nd Half: 9 HR (289 PA)
His OPS in the first half was .919 vs .748 in the second half.
He hit a lot of HRs in what is pretty much the AL version of Coors aka Texas. And I think he did the majority of that damage in the 1st 2 months that season.
I didn’t realize that 25 hr and 80 rbis was the definition of someone who “can’t hit, period.”
There’s no question that the Jays could use an upgrade at DH, but an old, beaten up Vladimir Guerrero isn’t the answer.
Its never a bad thing to have a DH who can play some 1B to give Lind a day off of playing defence. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jays use a Snider/Thames combo to make up LF/DH if they both come out of the gates hot.
The problem is that he provides no value of return. Clearly he doesn’t have any trade value and his hopes for development are long gone. The Jays are probably a year or two from seriously contending anyway. So by the time the Jays have a legitimate shot of contending, he’ll need to be replaced.
There’s no way he, or Manny or anyone over 25 being acquired to fill the role.
Never said he can’t hit, said 25hrs and 80 ribby’s is a really good year for him. Vlad can do better though. The DH spot in the AL is meant for guys like Vlad. 100 RBI+ potential is what you should be looking for out of that position if you’re planning on contending with the big boys. I realize it’s a long shot, the timing is off by a year and it probably wont happen anyways, but he’s an upgrade over Encarnacion, period.
Really think that Jacks100 has something with Thames and Snider rotating LF/DH though. Both need to play though, whether it’s in the show or the minors, guess we’ll have to wait and see.
But he CAN’T do better. RBI’s have nothing to do with the skill of a player. Please understand that. Hell. If I hit 5th in the Yankees line-up I would have 100 RBI. You could probably hit .100 and have 100 RBI in their line-up. Vlad should retire, not play anymore.
“RBI’s have nothing to do with the skill of a player.”
Did you actually just say that?
Yes. Yes I did.
Tony Batista had 110 RBIs in 2004, but hit .241/.272/.455.
Barry Bonds, the NL MVP that season, only had 101 RBIs, despite having the best season in baseball history (.362/.609/.812). Seriously. That’s not a typo. His OBP was .609.
So was Tony Batista a more skillful player because he had more RBIs?
Obp factors in how many times he got walked too, no?
Of course it does, but taking walks is a skill.
Of course it does, but taking walks is a skill.
Not when their intentional
I’d take a 29 year old E5 in a line-up over a 37 year old Vlad any day of the week.
I’d take a 29 year old E5 in a line-up over a 37 year old Vlad any day of the week.
don’t you think that if everyone thought he could put up better numbers than 25 homers and 80 RBI’s he would have been signed by now?
Why not take a minor league deal if he just wants to play?
Why not play for NY’s better team?
The Long Island Ducks!
Sounds like the premise of a hilarious new movie!
Mr. Baseball 2! Vlad Guerrero joins the Nagoya Chunichi Dragons only to butt heads with manager Jack Elliot, who has returned to Japan with his wife Hiroko to carry on the legacy of his step-father, Uchiyama.
Best of luck to Vlad. Great baseball player, but better yet a great person.
Vlad and the Orioles should work out something; they still need someone that can hit sacrifice flies. Adam Jones, Mark Reynolds, thru Jai Miller can’t do it. Vlad still has the knack of being able to adjust his swing so that he gets the job done by getting in the run. I can’t see Vlad in Japan, although I do wonder what kind of playing shape he is currently?
That would be something most GM’s worth their salt should know, what shape he’s in. If he is in good shape, and that is possible, then several teams may make a pitch soon so as to see if he can play in spring still.
Japan’s gonna have some great players. If Derrek Lee, Johnny Damon, JD Drew, and other good FAs follow his lead. And Matsui returns home…
Someone needs to remind Vladmo that not one hit he gets in Japan will count towards his goal of 3,000. He needs to hang around, since injuries are expected during April and May (conditioning, hamstrings, etc.) and he will probably get called.
Oh geez, are you kidding me? Good riddance. Respect lost. All he had to do was suck it up and sign with someone for lower pay. Some of these players really overvalue themselves. Again.. Good riddance!
Domo Origato Mr. Roboto Vlad…
Likely too, he wants his name out there. The rumour that he wants so much money to play has already been proven a lie. His agent has said only two things in 3 weeks, one that he wanted to play for a contender (true), and got an offer from Miami (true), now that he may play in Japan to keep himself in playing condition, mentally. I doubt he really will, but such is life.
Vlad was a great player and a definite baseball character and a joy to watch. Even if he doesn’t make sense for MLB teams to sign at this moment, I don’t understand why any real baseball fan would make snide comments about him. Get a life.
I know this is real life and not a video game but mlb2k12 has the Red Sox signing Vlady as a DH and he hit 28 hrs and drove in 150
I know this is real life and not a video game but mlb2k12 has the Red Sox signing Vlady as a DH and he hit 28 hrs and drove in 150
I wonder how many teams realize, after all these years, that most players don’t want to DH, ever. Montero doesn’t want to DH. Reynolds and Davis in Baltimore don’t want to. Betimit got signed to DH and he doesn’t want to. And on and on. Simply put, players want to play and they know that once you are put in a DH role, your earnings drop and your career gets a whole lot shorter. How many guys have been a DH for 4 or more years, not part-time either?
I figure he’ll sign somewhere, hopefully soon, as some team will tire of having guys be told to DH and then get told, “Find someone else, I have a glove.”
Thing is, a lot of guys don’t want to DH, ever. How many guys have been a full-time DH for 4 or more years? Almost none. Montero does not want to DH. IN Baltimore, Davis and Reynolds fight to never DH. Betemit got signed to DH but he’s hoping to get on field a lot. And on and on. Guys will DH is they are too hurt to play the field but given a chance none want the job. Lots of players get told to DH, they refuse and take out their glove in defiance like Reynolds did.
Once you DH you’re earning potential falls and, more importantly, your career gets shorter, as who wants a DH, “anyone can hit” but few want to sit and not play. Even Guerrero, who’s been pretty much a DH for two years, still took fielding practice all the time in Baltimore. Whoever signs him will do so to increase their options. And please, no more nonsense about money, the guy was willing to sign in Detroit and NYY for $1 mil.
Damn shame… Was fun watchin him play with the angels. Somebody should sign him. atleast one more year.