http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/7681899.htm Guerrero reportedly headed to Angels BY BILL MADDEN AND JOHN HARPER New York Daily News NEW YORK - (KRT) - The dream died hard and fast on Saturday night. Unwilling to gamble more than three years of guaranteed money on Vladimir Guerrero's once-injured back, the New York Mets paid for their caution when they learned the slugging free agent was signing a mega-deal with the Anaheim Angels, sources told the New York Daily News. The identity of that team had remained something of a mystery until late Saturday night. Like the Mets, the Angels jumped into the Guerrero sweepstakes only a few days ago, when it became clear that one of the best players in baseball was still up for grabs. Indications were that the deal was for five years and a guaranteed $70 million. The Angels' late move caught the Mets by surprise. In the two days since they made their five-year, $71 million offer, of which $30 million was guaranteed, the Mets had begun to think they might really pull this off and get the superstar right fielder. They kept hearing that Guerrero had no interest in going to the Orioles, the only team that had made a big guaranteed offer, and that seemed to clear a path for them. But what they didn't know was that the Angels came forward the same day the Mets made their proposal and offered their guaranteed deal. The Angels, with new owner Arturo Moreno, have suddenly emerged as big spenders this winter. They had already signed Bartolo Colon to a 4-year, $48 million contract, as well as free agent pitcher Kelvim Escobar as Moreno looks to rebuild a team that went to the World Series two years ago. Yesterday Tellem, one of Guerrero's agents, informed the Mets that the former Expos' right fielder was signing with another team. As a result, Mets GM Jim Duquette was left to explain the club's failed attempt on a conference call. "I understand the disappointment of the fans," he said, when asked about fan reaction. "The organization is disappointed too. We were hopeful. That's why we're disappointed today." Duquette said the Mets weren't given a chance yesterday to upgrade their offer in response to Angels' offer. It may not have mattered, however, as the Mets apparently were firm on their decision not to offer more than three years guaranteed, a cautious approach that Duquette said was justified, based on medical reports the Mets had seen. "Our offer was based on the advice of our doctors," Duquette said. "We were advised not to make a long-term deal. As it was, I thought were making a pretty daring offer. "We were able to see reports (of a back examination Guerrero underwent in Miami after the season), and our doctors were able to make a very credible evaluation. There was always a risk that he could have gotten hurt the first year of the deal." Duquette indicated the Mets were at least somewhat influenced in their thinking by their recent experience with Mo Vaughn, whose knee injury is essentially forcing him to retire. And while the Mets will collect insurance on Vaughn, Duquette said they couldn't find a company willing to insure Guerrero's back. "It's our understanding that the back is uninsurable," Duquette said. Caution aside, the Mets decided to make a late run at Guerrero when it seemed a lack of substantial offers had given them an opening. Their involvement may have triggered the Angels to move quickly; perhaps that was Tellem's intention in asking the Mets to make a proposal this week, but Duquette said he didn't think they were used merely as bait. "We were told that if this team had not come forward, our offer would have been the subject of serious negotiations. If he had taken our offer, it's our understanding that he would have made more money than what's on the table." Whatever the case, Duquette said that Fred Wilpon decided to authorize this offer because it was a chance to acquire a superstar player, and that it didn't mean the Mets would be looking to spend this kind of money on any other free agent.
Marlins say no offer made to Guerrero By CLARK SPENCER Miami Herald http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/7682148.htm MIAMI - The Florida Marlins disputed a published report Saturday, saying they have made no offer to outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. ``Not true,'' a team source said in response to a story in The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger. In the Star-Ledger story, an unidentified general manager is quoted as saying the Marlins made a one-year offer to Guerrero and appear to have the upper hand in signing the free agent. The New York Mets on Saturday night said Guerrero had rejected their three-year contract offer, adding they were told he has decided to sign with another team. Mets general manager Jim Duquette said he didn't know which team Guerrero has committed to. But Duquette said he was informed by Guerrero's agent, Arn Tellem, that the former Montreal Expos star would sign a multiyear deal. The Orioles have a standing offer to Guerrero for $65 million over five years. The Marlins had expressed interest in Guerrero, who sources say would prefer to play for a National League team with a large Latin American community. But one Marlins source said landing Guerrero would be a long shot. The Newark paper, quoting the unnamed general manager, said the Marlins had offered Guerrero a one-year deal worth $10 million. But it probably would take at least $13 million to $15 million to sign the star.
If they can convert Salmon to 1B, they have a very formidable lineup (even though I think Erstad and Eck are overrated): SS Eckstein CF Erstad LF Anderson RF Guerrero 3B Glaus 1B Salmon DH Guillen C Molina 2B Kennedy With Colon their new ace and that strong bullpen, they should be the strongest team in the AL West.
LMAO @ Baltimore! Let's throw all piles of money at Tejada, Javy Lopez, and Guerrero to get them to come to us and finish in 4th place! It is nice to see that Vlad wants to go to a team that has a chance of making the playoffs. AL West, despite Texas's perennial suckitude, has to be the toughest division in baseball.
Anaheim is going to kick some major booty next (this?) year. I am amazed at the lack of interest Guerrero has garnered this off-season. The dude is quite possibly the best player in the game.
for anaheim to be good, glaus needs to turn it around. if he can hit 280 or even 270 he'd be great. but each year his average dips. once he was clearly the best 3B in the league, now it's probably scott rolen. anderson is pretty solid. so if glaus turns it around it's one of the best 3-4-5 combos in the league. the rest of their lineup isn't as deeps as say the Cardinals or more obviously the Red Sox though.
Don't worry. Glaus is in a contract year this season, plus, he had laser eye surgery. He'll definitely turn things around.
