Where will Vladimir Guerrero sign? It’s February and Spring Training is literally just around the corner, making these next two days very important tweets ESPN’s Buster Olney.
“The next 48 hours [are] expected to be pivotal in the Vladimir Guerrero contract talks,” Olney tweeted earlier. “The O’s have their offer on table; Vlad is looking for more.”
Not much here that hasn’t already been talked about, but it seems as if Guerrero will make a decision soon. The Orioles have had an offer on the table since Thursday and as of Wednesday morning have no knowledge of any self-imposed deadline from Guerrero or his camp.
They haven’t threatened to withdraw their offer by a certain date, either.
So, we’re left with Vlad weighing his other options, whatever they may be (an interesting idea floated last night by FoxSports was the Rays. More on that here.)
The O’s offer — believed to reach the $5 million mark with incentives — isn’t changing. He’s made it no secret that he wants to play for a team with a chance to win and is more comfortable with a clubhouse that has some Latin American players. Neither of those things works in the O’s favor but they can offer Guerrero something most clubs can’t: consistent playing time.
He’d be a full-time DH, with Luke Scott moving to left field and Felix Pie/Nolan Reimold battling it out in Spring. Reimold has an option left so he could start the season in Triple-A.
What the O’s would sacrifice on defense with Scott in left, they’d presumably make up for with a beefed-up lineup. You’ve heard before that the Rangers and Angels could sign Vlad in a part-time role, and he could put value the chance to play for either of those teams again over coming to Baltimore.
Either way, it looks to be resolved before the week is over.
