The Baltimore Orioles’ offseason appeared to be pretty much wrapped up after the signing of veteran pitcher Justin Duchscherer when it was announced that the Orioles would once again go after Vladimir Guerrero.
The Orioles made an attempt to lure Guerrero to Baltimore back in 2004 but Guerrero scoffed at the idea.
With the news that the Orioles were in on the free agent designated hitter, word came out that Baltimore had offered Guerrero a one-year contract for about $5 million.
It was not surprising when Guerrero’s agency reported a supposed “eight” million dollar offer from an unknown team.
If things could not get any more depressing for Oriole fans, it appeared that the Orioles were not only going to lose out on the big bat for the middle of their order, but they would have to watch a free agent laugh at the idea of playing for the Orioles and get humiliated in the process as well.
Yet Andy MacPhail, the Orioles general manager, shocked the baseball world after agreeing upon a one-year, $8 million contract.
Baltimore put together the final touches to its team, and for the first time in a long time, there was a buzz in Baltimore about baseball.
4.Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Baltimore’s new designated hitter and clean-up hitter was finally officially introduced to the media in Sarasota, Florida after Guerrero passed his physical.
The 36-year-old slugger will sport No. 27 for the Orioles and has become the center-piece to the Orioles’ 2011 lineup.
In 2010, Guerrero signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers and helped lead to the Rangers to a playoff berth.
Although the Rangers made the playoffs, 2010 was a up-and-down year for the Vladimir Guerrero.
In Vladimir Guerrero’s first few months with the Rangers, Guerrero hit .339/.384/ .574 with 18 home runs through June. The rest of the year was almost forgettable for Guerrero, as he hit .263/.309/.418.
The sharp drop off the second half of the season has fueled those in opposition to signing Guerrero, but when you look at Guerrero’s statistics as a whole, you cannot find one person who produced better at the plate last year than Guerrero.
Vladimir Guerrero finished the 2010 regular season hitting .300/.345/.496 with 29 home runs and 115 RBI.
In regards to Vladimir Guerrero’s new home, Camden Yards, Guerrero has hit .333/.400/.611 with nine home runs and 30 RBI in 32 games.
As for Guerrero’s production in opposing AL East ball parks, Guerrero has a .325 average with 21 home runs and 71 RBI in 118 games.
At 36 years-old, Guerrero is not getting younger as his OPS has not been higher than .900 since 2007, but Guerrero still has shown that he can still produce at a competitive level.
And with his $8 million price tag, he could very well turn out to be a huge bargain for the Orioles in 2011.
2011 Prediction: .315, 32 HR, 112 RBI
Note:
On Deck: Luke Scott
In the Hole: Mark Reynolds
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