Vladimir Guerrero?

by Tom Dakers on Feb 3, 2011 11:22 AM EST in Toronto Blue Jays Analysis

Vlad, pointing out where the pitch was that he just hit into the seats. . (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Vladimir Guerrero's name seems to be coming up a lot lately so I thought I'd ask (since there is bugger all for real news) if you guys thought we would be signing him.

Major League Rumors has a story up saying that his agent is telling the Orioles that Vlad has an $8 million offer from some mystery team. My agent would also like you to know that I have an $8 million offer from some other website, but I'm still willing to consider staying here for the bimonthly bag of cheese doodles they throw down to me in the basement.

I mean, if he has an $8 million offer, why hasn't he signed it yet? If the Orioles are offering $5 million and he has $8 mill offer, why would you continue to talk to the Orioles? It is worth an extra $3 million to him to come in last in the AL East? He is such a fan of the Wire that he wants to live in the neighborhood featured in the show?

MLB Trade Rumors is running a poll asking which team people believe offered the $8 million. Unsurprisingly the 'there was no offer' option is winning in a landslide, but among the teams listed, the Jays are getting the most votes at the moment.

Vlad had a very good season, last year, with a .300/.345/.496 line, 29 home runs, 115 RBI, winning the Silver Slugger award, finishing 11th in the MVP vote. He'd 'provide protection' for Jose Bautista in the batting order, if that is something you worry about. He'd also give Craig someone to complain about, swinging at the first pitch as often as he does. Actually, he'll swing at any pitch, no matter how high/low/off the plate it might be.

It would also give us fans something to get excited about for this season, when most of the moves we've made are things that give us hope for the future. It would give us a sign that this year is important too. Signing him could also give us the ability to sit Juan Rivera or EE or someone else, if they don't pan out this year.

On the flip side, when I asked John Farrell about Manny, he said that they don't want to sign someone that can only DH. They would like someone with the flexibility to play a position as well. Guerrero can only DH, unless you are a fan of slapstick comedy. Farrell was very clear on that answer, it didn't seem like something he was fudging on at all.

Anyway let's ask you.....

Poll

Will the Jays sign Vladimir Guererro

Yes

144 votes

No

649 votes

793 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I can't see it

In addition to what you mentioned about their reasons for not signing Manny, AA has also said that he’s promised Encarnacion full-time at bats, which Guerrero would eat into. If they were going to get a DH, the $2M investment in Manny would have been the way to go.

by doron on Feb 3, 2011 11:25 AM EST reply actions

It doesn't make sense

We’ve seen how frugal AA has been with the budget (Unless I’m wrong, we haven’t signed anybody over $3.5 mill, excluding Arb cases).

On top of that $6 million, for a DH only type, AFTER we passed on Manny. To me theres no way this happens.

I will add, that I wouldn’t be disappointed if it did. Vladdy was always one of my favourites.

Proud member of the AL North
@VagabondBansal

by Vagabond13 on Feb 3, 2011 11:40 AM EST reply actions

No way he signs

Thats not the way AA7 rolls.

Anyone who has even been remotely linked to the Jays this offseason has not even come close to signing with the Jays. Since The Jays are the #2 response on that poll, I take it to mean, no chance in hell that Vlad is a Jay come spring training.

"I'm not drinking and driving, I'm driving while I'm drinking....Right boys!?"

by kudzupo on Feb 3, 2011 12:04 PM EST reply actions

Different question though.

Vlad hasn’t been so much linked to us for this one, this is more people thinking he would be a good fit. Which isn’t unreasonable.

I think you'll find I'm universally recognised as a mature and responsible adult.
Twitter is the thing with all the tweets...

by JohnnyG on Feb 3, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

even been remotely linked

meaning, even those who think a player would be a good fit

no one has even come close to predicting the moves the Jays have made this offseason.

"I'm not drinking and driving, I'm driving while I'm drinking....Right boys!?"

by kudzupo on Feb 3, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

Oh Good God I hope so.

AA owes us fans this. Will he help us win the WS in 2011? Of course not but if we are to be expected to be excited about the 2011 Jays, this would be a perfect way to do it. Again, the payroll is about half what it was last year so I don’t see any negative side of signing a guy who can’t possibly not contribute in the lineup. We are afraid of taking swings away from Edwin Freaking Encarnacion? Is that serious? I’d understand if we had some prospect like Brett Lawrie ready to make the leap but in what surreal universe is E5 part of any long term plans? We waived him less than 6 months ago….ARRGGG

I trust in the process and I’m starting to sip the AA kool-aid but 162 games is a long season with Juan Rivera and Edwin expecting to be the heavy hitters. I don’t see any downside from this move whatsoever.

I do think AA and Rogers group needs to show some commitment to this years ball club or we are going to see alot of 10,000 attendance numbers and if he needs to pony up $5MM after he just saved $100MM, so be it.

Trapped in the past, Craig finds himself leaping from blog to blog, putting things right that once went wrong, and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home.

by craig in calgary on Feb 3, 2011 12:18 PM EST reply actions

i don't get it

if watching Wells wasn’t making fans excited, how much better is vlad gonna do?

To Infinity. And BEYOND!!!

by YunelTheLazyLatino on Feb 3, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

Well we've lost Vernon Wells

…and replaced his production with….ummm….Rajai Davis?

I’m just saying if this was Chess, we are starting to get our Rooks and Knights in place, but this year we are playing with alot of pawns.

Someone give me an actual downside of signing Vlad.

Trapped in the past, Craig finds himself leaping from blog to blog, putting things right that once went wrong, and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home.

by craig in calgary on Feb 3, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

I guess the downside is we could have had Manny cheaper.

by Tom Dakers on Feb 3, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

I think Vladdy is better and (alhough I've admitadely never been in a lockerrrom) probably a better teammate.

Plus, how can you not get behind a Latino with a traditional Russian name. Maybe we could sign Yuri Lopez too.

Trapped in the past, Craig finds himself leaping from blog to blog, putting things right that once went wrong, and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home.

by craig in calgary on Feb 3, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

If Vernon drove you nuts chasing pitches..

you wouldn’t want to watch Vlad. I’d rather have had Manny since he was some discipline at the plate. I think it would be good to show the younger hitters that it is ok not to swing as some pitches.

by Tom Dakers on Feb 3, 2011 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

Worse draft pick in 2012

They're not just hitting home runs. They're doing the little things, like hitting doubles.

by Torgen on Feb 3, 2011 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

Excitement

Let’s lure Brad Fullmer out of retirement.
That would be exciting.

by Joffrey's Loop Hole on Feb 3, 2011 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

Are Kevin Mench and David Delucci available? Brad Wilkerson?

Could be dynamic DH/OF platoon. Right JP?

by transmogrifier on Feb 3, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly what I was thinking.

If you’re interested in an Assistant GM position, you’re hired.

I’ve already made a call to the ghost-of-Otis-Nixon’s agent.

by Joffrey's Loop Hole on Feb 3, 2011 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

The real question

Should the Jays sign Vlad?

I would still vote No. But at least I had to think about it.

by siggian on Feb 3, 2011 12:27 PM EST reply actions

Really this could have three questions...

Will the Jays sign Vlad? No, I do not believe they will.
Should the Jays sign Vlad? I dunno, maybe?
Would I like the Jays to sign Vlad? Yes, yes I would. He’s a “name” and I think he’d be a better DH then EE.

by Parallex on Feb 3, 2011 1:14 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

The real Vlad question is...

Do you want Vlad or EE? The difference – EE can actually walk and tie his own shoelaces without a nurse helping him.

EE can play A BIT at 1st, 3rd and DH. Vlad can play at DH after using his walker to get to the plate. I’ll stick with EE – thank you.

by Mylegacy on Feb 3, 2011 2:09 PM EST reply actions

That's pretty much my opinion.

Although if the team was willing to play EE at 3B and JoBau in RF, I would be more ok with Vlad DHing.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

by Jevant on Feb 3, 2011 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

So really, it’s do you want Vlad or Rivera? Hmm, Vlad is starting to look better now.

by siggian on Feb 3, 2011 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

That's how I would look at it

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

by Jevant on Feb 3, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah thta's it to me....

Rivera would be a ok 4th ourfielder, but I’m not thrilled with the idea of him playing everyday

by Tom Dakers on Feb 3, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

I would want to live in Baltimore to experience the setting from The Wire…………

by billsfan_905 on Feb 3, 2011 2:38 PM EST reply actions

me2

Vlad kind of looks like Omar when you think about it.

Well that was racist…

by Joffrey's Loop Hole on Feb 3, 2011 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

i think he kinda looks more like Bubbles

that’s just me tho..

by bryfryy on Feb 3, 2011 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

Just a thought….

Maybe its a 2 year 8M deal… that would make a little more sense.

I think you'll find I'm universally recognised as a mature and responsible adult.
Twitter is the thing with all the tweets...

by JohnnyG on Feb 3, 2011 3:21 PM EST reply actions

that makes sense

8M for one year, even after the year he had (just based on Manny’s deal) is pretty inflated

by benk on Feb 3, 2011 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

And wouild make no sense considering. He would have signed instantly since obviously since the Orioles have been targetted winning isn’t exactly high on his priorities this year.

I think you'll find I'm universally recognised as a mature and responsible adult.
Twitter is the thing with all the tweets...

by JohnnyG on Feb 3, 2011 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

I would prefer EE at third and backup first. Vlad would then fit great at DH. The better the Jays do this year, the more noise and excitement for the following year. I can’t see how that would be bad for the team.

As a Toronto sports fan I proudly follow the lessons of lachrymology.

by Redonred on Feb 3, 2011 7:22 PM EST reply actions

Oh and no I don’t think this rumour is true. That being said I disagree with the argument that any player linked to the Jays is not going to happen. An offseason pattern is not evidence.

As a Toronto sports fan I proudly follow the lessons of lachrymology.

by Redonred on Feb 3, 2011 7:28 PM EST up reply actions