Orioles Sign Vlad

[Leftwich]

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico -- Veteran slugger Vladimir Guerrero agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, a source told ESPNdeportes.com.


Guerrero
The agreement includes incentives and is pending a physical, the source said.

A nine-time All-Star, Guerrero is the latest addition by the Orioles, who have also signed free agents Derrek Lee and Kevin Gregg this offseason, re-signed shortstop Cesar Izturis and acquired third baseman Mark Reynolds.

Guerrero, 35, hit .300 with 29 home runs and 115 RBIs last season with the Texas Rangers. He has a .320 career batting average with 436 home runs and 1,433 RBIs and received the 2004 AL MVP Award.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6091427

I've loved this offseason. I know he's in the downswing of his career but god damn its nice to see someone with some power come to Baltimore.

[Jntg4]

Good move, money deferred.

[Cody]

Nice signing, O's looking impressive.

[Leftwich]

I mean look at this tentative lineup:

1 Brian Roberts
2 Nick Markakis
3 Derek Lee
4 Andrew Reynolds
5 Vlad
6 Luke Scott
7 Matt Wieters
8 Adam Jones
9 JJ Hardy

Its not the best line up but compared to last year, its fucking scary.

[Jntg4]

I mean look at this tentative lineup:

1 Brian Roberts
2 Nick Markakis
3 Derek Lee
4 Andrew Reynolds
5 Vlad
6 Luke Scott
7 Matt Wieters
8 Adam Jones
9 JJ Hardy

Its not the best line up but compared to last year, its fucking scary.

1 Question... Who is Andrew Reynolds? I know the rest of them.

[Leftwich]

1 Question... Who is Andrew Reynolds? I know the rest of them.

Oh my bad. Mark Reynolds... i dunno what i was thinking.

[NAHSTE]

Vlad is one of my all time favorites. Definitely going to get down to Bmore for an O's game or two this summer. And that lineup is awesome...









In 2007.

[SuperKevin]

So much power in this lineup.

[NAHSTE]

So much power in this lineup.

Outside of Reynolds, I don't really see it. Lee hit 19 last year and is unlikely to top that given his bat speed disappeared sometime between '09 and '10. Markakis is a high teens (low 20s at best) guy, and Vlad is coming off of a nine homer second half of last season. Luke Scott is good, he'll hit just under 30, but that's the extent of their power.

It's a solid lineup, no doubt, but I read a quote from one of their execs who said it looked like a Yankees lineup. Maybe three years ago this would be a fearsome lineup, but as of this season it's merely solid.

I give them credit for upgrading their ball club and filling the lineup with quality veteran hitters but let's not pretend like this is a murderer's row. There are 4-5 pretty good hitters, but nobody that really makes a pitcher shit his pants anymore.

[BazookaJoe5]

Wieters and Jones development along with BRob's health will be key to how good the lineup ends up being. Can't imagine they both don't improve given that they aren't being thrust into roles they aren't ready for, and won't constantly be moved up and down the lineup this year. Hell, I think Jones hit in every spot in the lineup at some point last year, and Wieters hit everywhere but 1st and 9th. No way they could get comfortable that way. Markakis should be much better as well as the 2 and not 3.

Regardless, as an O's fan I'm actually excited for this season as the lineup at least looks like it could provide some excitement, as opposed to being "5 months till football" like past years. No more Garrett Atkins and Cesar Izturis types in the lineup.

[Guest]

Considering the progress that the younger players made under Showalter, combined with the additions this off-season, the Orioles are certainly going to be at least a .500 team. They have a dangerous lineup, a solid to above average bullpen and a rotation that has talent, but short on experience.

After the Guerrero signing, some people have said that the Orioles have a shot at the playoffs. I love the Orioles and will always be a fan, but I'm not predicting that- .500 is good enough for me.

However, a playoff shot is not beyond the realm of possibility. Really, three things need to happen for that:

1.) Vladimir Guerrero stays healthy and helps transform this offense from good to great.

2.) Justin Duchscherer stays healthy, starts 30 games and performs like he did in 2008.

3.) Brian Matusz continues the dominance he displayed post All-Star break last season

For all three of those to happen is a chance I wouldn't bet on. At the very least, it will be an exciting season for the Orioles and one where we hopefully start the change to a winning environment.

[SuperKevin]

Considering the progress that the younger players made under Showalter, combined with the additions this off-season, the Orioles are certainly going to be at least a .500 team. They have a dangerous lineup, a solid to above average bullpen and a rotation that has talent, but short on experience.

After the Guerrero signing, some people have said that the Orioles have a shot at the playoffs. I love the Orioles and will always be a fan, but I'm not predicting that- .500 is good enough for me.

However, a playoff shot is not beyond the realm of possibility. Really, three things need to happen for that:

1.) Vladimir Guerrero stays healthy and helps transform this offense from good to great.

2.) Justin Duchscherer stays healthy, starts 30 games and performs like he did in 2008.

3.) Brian Matusz continues the dominance he displayed post All-Star break last season

For all three of those to happen is a chance I wouldn't bet on. At the very least, it will be an exciting season for the Orioles and one where we hopefully start the change to a winning environment.

You forgot the 4th thing

4.) A plane crashes into Yankee Stadium during a Red Sox/Yankees game killing both teams

[Guest]

You forgot the 4th thing

4.) A plane crashes into Yankee Stadium during a Red Sox/Yankees game killing both teams

I don't think the Yankees are going to be as good as some people think this season. I am not sold on their rotation at all, and that could be the difference for them. I'm worried after Sabathia and Hughes.

Again, not saying it will happen for the Orioles. It could. Their pitching could surprise. Just like the Yankees rotation could show up- or it could be just as bad or worse than what some think it is now.

[NAHSTE]

You forgot the 4th thing

4.) A plane crashes into Yankee Stadium during a Red Sox/Yankees game killing both teams

Cory Lidle approves.

[strahanfan92]

Cory Lidle approves.