Baseball Musings: Guerrero Signed

January 11, 2004

Guerrero Signed

It turns out the Marlins (thans to the commentors who pointing out this story) were not the stealth bidder for Vlad Guerrero. The Angels stepped in and grabbed Vlad (link requires registration) out from under the O's and the Mets.

In a stunning coup that establishes the Angels as World Series contenders once again and new owner Arte Moreno as one of baseball's biggest spenders, the team agreed to terms Saturday night with star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, several sources said.

Although the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets publicly pursued Guerrero in recent days, a National League executive told The Times on Saturday he was informed by a high-ranking Met official that Guerrero had accepted a five-year, $70-million proposal from the Angels.

I'm really starting to like Arte Moreno. He saw a championship team in Anaheim that was undervalued and gobbled it up. He sees a franchise player not attracting any attention and swoops in to close the deal. Moreno wants to win, and is willing to spend the money to get there. (Steinbrenner without the bombast?)

The Angels will move Erstad to first base and player an outfield of Anderson, Guillen and Guerrero. I assume Salmon moves into the DH role full time, after splitting 2003 between that spot and the outfield. The main problem here is Erstad at first base. If you are moving the 2000 Erstad there, that's great. But right now, he's a first baseman who hits like a shortstop. He has not gotten on base nor hit for power since his big 2000 season. With Erstad's defense still top notch, he should have some trade value, and finding someone to play first who can tear the cover off the ball shouldn't be that difficult.

I woudn't be printing the World Series banners for the Angels just yet, but Anaheim fans should be very excited that they picked up Guerrero and that they have an owner who wants to win, and unlike Gene Autry, knows value in a player when he sees it.

Update: Peter Schmuck (I don't have a joke here, I just like writing Schmuck) finds the bright side of the Orioles not signing Guerrero.

Posted by David Pinto at 08:45 AM | Free Agents | TrackBack (0)

Comments

I posted earlier that I didn't think the Angels were contenders, but this changes the equation completely. Now they have a massive 1-2 punch in their lineup with Garret Anderson and Vlad. The AL West may be a dogfight between the A's and Angels.

Posted by: Daniel at January 11, 2004 10:02 AM

As far as Peter Schmuck's article, it really does sound like sour grapes to me. The upside of not signing Vlad??? Of course there is a possibility of an injury, but that could be said of just about any player. Wow, great, another upside is that instead of Vlad we can sign Pudge! WOOHOO!!! Bring in the tickertape! An aging catcher on the downside of his career instead of one of the top baseball players who is 27 in this middle of his prime! Sour grape, I tell ya.

Posted by: sabernar at January 11, 2004 11:21 AM

Does this help your opinion of Moreno? One of his first acts as owner was to lower beer prices.

He is also said to stroll around the big A (or whatever it's called) during the game, pressing the flesh.

Posted by: Chris Marcil at January 11, 2004 12:02 PM

Maybe Sour Grapes on Schmucks part, but that doesn't change the fact that a team that has already been burned to a crisp once on a big signing - Albert Belle - might be better off not having commited 70+ million to a player with a known back issue. The franchise has already dealt w/one high profile player w/back problems (the end of Ripken's career) and have seen firsthand how it can effect a player over time.

Posted by: John Gibson at January 11, 2004 12:23 PM

This is why you should love Moreno. This is a true story, I swear!

A buddy of mine who has seats near me meet Arte Moreno as he was walking around the staduim pressing the flesh. Moreno asked if he had any complaints about the stadium. His only complaint was that recently the snack bar had begun charging $.25 for peppers on nachos. Moreno got on his cell phone right then and there, and the next day peppers where once again free!

Posted by: Rich at January 11, 2004 05:26 PM

Give me a break Peter Schmuck...Vlad is a franchise player and in any given year he is a top 3 player in the league. He hits for power and average, plays great defense, and his arm is a cannon. He hasn't even reached his prime yet. Every player faces some injury problems once in awhile, but if he's 100% healthy than the Angels actually got a bargain.

Posted by: Ryan at January 15, 2004 03:02 PM