Guerrero Agrees To Deal With Rangers, Physical Pending

Vladimir Guerrero, most recently of the Anaheim Angels, has signed with the Texas Rangers:

The deal and an official announcement are pending a physical and Texas is hoping that will be completed on Monday. The salary is expected to be between $5.5 and $6 million with a $1 million buyout if the Rangers don’t exercise their option. Guerrero can opt out of the second year, but does not get the buyout.

Texas went into the offseason looking for a right-handed bat that could be a presence in the middle of its lineup. Guerrero was at the top of its list and the deal was finally completed this weekend.

Guerrero logged most of his games in 2009 as a designated hitter, and it appears as though he will fill the same role with the Rangers. In his earlier years, Guerrero had a cannon-like arm in the outfield and was routinely one of the best hitters in baseball, but nagging injuries seem to have taken their toll. He’ll be 35 by Opening Day.

The Rangers managed an 87-75 record in 2009 that surprised many. It will be interesting to see how significantly Guerrero augments the Rangers’ lineup alongside sluggers Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, and Nelson Cruz.

For reactions from Rangers fans, check out Lone Star Ball. Angels fans will probably have something to say about the end of Guerrero’s six-year career with the team, so our Angels blog, Halos Heaven, is worth a look.