Ben Nicholson-Smith of MLBTradeRumors.com reported on Thursday that the Orioles are among three teams interested in signing free agent Vladimir Guerrero.
The Orioles, Angels and Rays have shown different levels of interest in Vladimir Guerrero, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com. Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles heard this week that the Halos weren’t talking to the DH, but a return to Anaheim remains possible for the longtime Angel.
A return to Texas is no longer a possibility, as Rangers GM Jon Daniels said the team is not pursuing Guerrero. Vlad, who turns 36 next month, hit .300/.345/.496 with 29 homers last year. He made his ninth All-Star team and earned his eighth Silver Slugger, finishing 11th in MVP balloting.
Andy MacPhail was a guest on Inside Pitch on MLBNetwork radio on Thursday. He was asked about the Vlad rumors, but did not give a direct answer. He did say that the Orioles have spent a great deal of money this offseason, but did not deny interest in the veteran free agent.
Guerrero would bring even more legitimacy to an already overhauled Orioles lineup in 2011. His bat would definitely help the Orioles and take some strain off of their young pitching staff.
Are you in favor of bringing Vlad to Baltimore?
My answer: no.
The O's are in no position to contend in 2011, as much as some people want to think. The pitching staff needs another year or two AT LEAST, and the young core (Wieters, Jones, etc.) are still developing at the plate.
All Vlad does is take away from Luke Scott's ABs (almost completely, most likely) and costs us money on what would most likely be a pointless 1 year deal. The WAR difference between him and Luke must be relatively low (assuming it is less than 3, which it must be) and to be honest, Luke is nice to have as a backup glove in LF and at 1B when needed.
I believe this report MUST have been written up pre-Lee signing. The MacPhail on the radio part… yeah, I heard it. He just is not the guy to deny anything. You could ask him of his interest in Pavano, and he wouldn't say no. That's just who he is.
I disagree. Showalter took the team that had the worst record in baseball and over the last 1/3 of the season turned it into a team that had one of the BEST records in baseball over that period. How did he do it? With magic? No. Obviously the team, especially the pitchers who were the main reason or the turnaround, had more ability that anyone , including themselves, thought. They didn't perfrom so well due to magic, luck or smoke and mirrors they just responed to Buck and reached more of their potential.
There's no reason to think Buck can't get the most out of this team this year and the offseason moves have greatly improved this team's chances.
Never underestimate the power/influence of a good leader. I'm with you, Tom.
Im for this deal. bring him to baltimore and let him play DH. Then move pie (great player but injury prone) and a prospect for a legit starter. keep reimold as a bench player. Luke playinng left, lee at first, reynolds at 3rd and vlad at Dh. this would make the lineup so much better.
i say do it. Why not, bring some excitement. I'm alrady stoked.
so stoked i can't spell…
NO way Vlad is coming to Baltimore. These guys use Baltimore like a five dollar prostitute to gain higher pay days from other teams. Baltimore should get smart and start bluffing, running up the numbers so other teams pay the price. Baltimore might NOT be able to compete on the field, but they could make the opposition pay for them NOT being able to sign good FAs.
No, what’s more likely is that we’ll keep Pie and trade Luke Scott for a starting pitcher. You have to give up something to get something unless you want a pitcher who is a glorified batting practice machine. And of course Andy won’t deny anything…why should he paint himself in a corner? If you say, yes, we have a definite interest in such and such a player, you’ve just given that player’s agent leverage in future negotiations. Plus, you never know how the dynamic of your team might change (yeah, like a starting pitcher messes up his shoulder overthrowing for a TV commercial), so a guy you might not have in your plans today is your big signing tomorrow. It’s called being a professional, which, say what you will about Andy, is what Mr. MacPhail is. No, I say trade Luke, who didn’t make any fans in the Warehouse this offseason with his idiotic Obama remarks, get a good veteran starter, sign Vlad, and surprise the heck out of everybody by being in the hunt til the last week of the season a la 1982…Then we win it all in 2012. Thereyago…
SIGN VLAD!!!
yes sign vlad..move luke scott to left field and let vlad do his thing as a DH..that'd be excellent addition for the orioles
If you bring in Vlad, Scott will have to play LF. That will relieve Pie of a starting position, and Rymold of a backup position. Pie is coming around, even though he is injury prone, and Rymold will almost have to be sent to Norfolk, which would be good for him to get his confidence back up. In the mean time, Vlad will help the O's bats and give them some much needed offense. With the additon of Lee and Rynolds in the lineup, along with Jones, Scott, and Markakis, the O's lineup will be very respectable if you add Vlad. I say do it, even if you gotta do a 2 yr deal.