According to ESPN's Enrique Rojas, another long winter saga has reached its conclusion as free agent Vladimir Guerrero has signed a one-year contract with the Orioles.
Vladimir Guerrero Lands With Orioles On One-Year, $8 Million Contract
The contract is reportedly worth $8 million (pending a physical exam), which would give Guerrero a raise from the salary he earned last season with Texas. What’s interesting is that, up until now, the Orioles seemed to be Guerrero’s only strong suitor, and were said to be offering considerably lower sums of money. So either those reports were wrong, this contract includes a bunch of incentives, or the Orioles simply gave in to Guerrero’s demands.
Guerrero - who turns 36 in a few days - drove in 115 runs with the Rangers as the team's regular DH. However, he hit a lot worse away from his hitter-friendly home ballpark, he's no longer capable of playing the field without looking terrible, and he's at an age where his skills will only continue to deteriorate. He should be able to hit fairly well with Baltimore, and it's only a one-year commitment, but he's not the threat he used to be, or even anywhere close.
Guerrero's signing pushes Luke Scott into left field, which, in turn, pushes Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold either to the bench or the minors. This sure seems like a move a team like the Orioles shouldn't bother making, but if nothing else, Guerrero should generate some excitement within the clubhouse and the fan base, which isn't entirely without its value.
For more on the move, check out our Orioles blog, Camden Chat.
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